Classic Poem

Snow-white gull, oh, would to you 't were given
All the gladness of your life to know,
While you hovered in the blue of heaven
Gazing on the wide-spread waves below!

Perched upon some cliff above the surges,
You may rest and watch the dawn grow gray,
See the sun's red disc as it emerges,
While the light-house beacon fades away.

Born sole heir of ocean's vast dominions,
Your first cradle-song the roaring wave,
Never sullying your shining pinions,
In the morning light your breast you lave;

Lave it in the brine too, when the ocean
Glitters mirror-like in calm repose,
Or its ponderous waves in mad commotion
Grimly charge the reefs, their ancient foes.

Only in the spring when northward flying
Do you pause to view the Stockholm folk;
Fishing here, you watch the steamers lying
In a row and belching clouds of smoke.

I am happy every time I see you,
As above Ship Island's bridge you soar.
Summer thoughts come o'er me, for to me you
Bring gay pictures of a rocky shore.

Therefore, sea-gull, may you gladly follow
In our steamer's wake, where'er it goes,
Gladly snatching from the foaming billow
What a little willing hand bestows.