XIII

The land! The land! it is the end

Of all my dreams; the sudden bend

Along the road, and face to face

I stand with some deserted place,

Where Death, and Darkness grow apace.

The land! The land! with beating heart

I am awake, alone, apart;

To gaze upon the nearing shore,

And know that all that's gone before

Means nothing to you any more.

The land! The land! Oh, blessed sea!

Lift up your arms and cover me;

One long caress upon your breast!

You know me, I have stood confessed

Before you, now I fain would rest.