Bruise not nor buffet him with your rough humor,

Sing you his prowess!

O mighty triad, strong ones of heaven,

Sun, rain, and wind, be gentle, I charge you—

For your mad mood of wrath have me—I am ready—

But spare him, my lover, most proud and most dear,

O sun, rain and wind, strong ones of heaven!

William Carlos Williams

SICILIAN EMIGRANT’S SONG

In New York Harbor