God be with thee, gladsome Ocean!
How gladly greet I thee once more!
Ships and waves, and ceaseless motion,
And men rejoicing on thy shore.
Dissuading spake the mild Physician,
‘ Those briny waves for thee are Death!’
But my soul fulfilled her mission,
And lo! I breathe untroubled breath!
Fashion's pining sons and daughters,
That seek the crowd they seem to fly,
Trembling they approach thy waters;
And what cares Nature, if they die?
Me a thousand hopes and pleasures
A thousand recollections bland,
Thoughts sublime, and stately measures,
Revisit on thy echoing strand:
Dreams ( the Soul herself forsaking ),
Tearful raptures, boyish mirth;
Silent adorations, making
A blessed shadow of this Earth!
O ye hopes, that stir within me,
Health comes with you from above!
God is with me, God is in me!
I cannot die, if Life be Love.