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CADGWITH, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: My windows open to the autumn night


I

Man is a shadow's dream!

Opulent Pindar saith:
Man is a shadow's dream!
Yet man may win a gleam
Opulent Pindar saith:
Of glory, before death.
Yet man may win a gleam

Of glory, before death.


Saith golden Shakespeare: Man

Is a dream's shadow! Yet,
Saith golden Shakespeare: Man
Though death do all death can,
Is a dream's shadow! Yet,
His soul toward life is set.
Though death do all death can,

His soul toward life is set.


I, living with delight

This rich autumnal day,
I, living with delight
Mark the gulls' curving flight
This rich autumnal day,
Across the black-girt bay.
Mark the gulls' curving flight

Across the black-girt bay.


And the sea's working men,

The fisher-folk, I mark
And the sea's working men,
Haul down their boats, and then
The fisher-folk, I mark
Launch for the deep sea dark.
Haul down their boats, and then

Launch for the deep sea dark.


Far out the strange ships go:

Their broad sails flashing red
Far out the strange ships go:
As flame, or white as snow:
Their broad sails flashing red
The ships, as David said.
As flame, or white as snow:

The ships, as David said.


Winds rush and waters roll:

Their strength, their beauty, brings
Winds rush and waters roll:
Into mine heart the whole
Their strength, their beauty, brings
Magnificence of things:
Into mine heart the whole

Magnificence of things:


That men are counted worth

A part upon this sea,
That men are counted worth
A part upon this earth,
A part upon this sea,
Exalts and heartens me.
A part upon this earth,

Exalts and heartens me.


Ah, Glaucus, soul of man!

Encrusted by each tide,
Ah, Glaucus, soul of man!
That, since the seas began,
Encrusted by each tide,
Hath surged against thy side:
That, since the seas began,

Hath surged against thy side:


Encumbering thee with weed,

And tangle of the wave!
Encumbering thee with weed,
Yet canst thou rise at need,
And tangle of the wave!
And thy strong beauty save!
Yet canst thou rise at need,

And thy strong beauty save!


Tides of the world in vain

Desire to vanquish thee:
Tides of the world in vain
Prostrate, thou canst again
Desire to vanquish thee:
Rise, lord of earth and sea:
Prostrate, thou canst again

Rise, lord of earth and sea:


Rise, lord of sea and earth,

And winds, and starry night.
Rise, lord of sea and earth,
Thine is the greater birth
And winds, and starry night.
And origin of light.
Thine is the greater birth

And origin of light.


II

My windows open to the autumn night,
II.
In vain I watched for sleep to visit me:
My windows open to the autumn night,
How should sleep dull mine ears, and dim my sight,
In vain I watched for sleep to visit me:
Who saw the stars, and listened to the sea?
How should sleep dull mine ears, and dim my sight,

Who saw the stars, and listened to the sea?


Ah, how the City of our God is fair!

If, without sea, and starless though it be,
Ah, how the City of our God is fair!
For joy of the majestic beauty there,
If, without sea, and starless though it be,
Men shall not miss the stars, nor mourn the sea.
For joy of the majestic beauty there,

Men shall not miss the stars, nor mourn the sea.


III

Mary Star of the sea!
III.
Look on this little place:
Mary Star of the Sea!
Bless the kind fisher race,
Look on this little place:
Mary Star of the sea!
Bless the kind fisher race,

Mary Star of the Sea!


Send harvest from the deep,

Mary Star of the Sea!
Send harvest from the deep,
Mary Star of the Sea!
Mary Star of the Sea!
Let not these women weep.
Mary Star of the Sea!

Let not these women weep.


Mary Star of the Sea!

Give wife and mother joy
Mary Star of the Sea!
In husband and in boy:
Give wife and mother joy
Mary Star of the Sea!
In husband and in boy:

Mary Star of the Sea!


With intercession save,

Mary Star of the Sea!
With intercession save,
Mary Star of the Sea!
Mary Star of the Sea!
These children of the wave.
Mary Star of the Sea!

These children of the wave.


Mary Star of the Sea!

Pour peace upon the wild
Mary Star of the Sea!
Waves, make their murmurs mild:
Pour peace upon the wild
Mary Star of the Sea!
Waves, make their murmurs mild:

Mary Star of the Sea!


Now in thy mercy pray,

Mary Star of the Sea!
Now in thy mercy pray,
Mary Star of the Sea!
Mary Star of the Sea!
For sailors far away.
Mary Star of the Sea!

For sailors far away.


Mary Star of the Sea!

Now be thy great prayers said
Mary Star of the Sea!
For all poor seamen dead:
Now be thy great prayers said
Mary Star of the Sea!
For all poor seamen dead:

Mary Star of the Sea!







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