Classic Poem

There is no cloud in all the sky,
No shadow on the sea;
Upon the soft, warm sand I lie,
Over my head the sea-gulls fly,
And the white rocks shelter me.

Far off I see blue waters wide,
And wide blue heavens meet;
The broad sun rises ever higher,
And smallest waves like dancing fire
Come near and kiss my feet.

Come nearer, nearer, happy waves,
With voices old and new;
Come rippling up the golden sand,
And break in laughter round my hand,
That I may laugh with you.

So bright you are, I half believe
You're robbers every one;
That you crept up at earliest morn,
And when the splendid day was born
Stole fire-sprites from the sun.

Out of the purple deep you came;
Whilst in their home at play,
The little sun-sprites glanced about:
With dripping hands you drew them out,
And carried them away.

Now underneath your mantles blue
I see them whirl and swim;
Are they so glad to be with you?
Or look they at the sun, and do
They long to be with him?

The rippling waves creep near and near,
All up the golden shore;
Far, far and wide the sunbeams play,
And what th' unwearying waters say
Makes music evermore.