Where the great green combers break in thunder on the barrier reefs,—
Where, unceasing, sounds the mighty diapason of the deep,—
Ringed in bursts of wild wave-laughter, ringed in leagues of flying foam,—
Long lagoons of softest azure, curving beaches white as snow,
Lap in sweetness and in beauty all the isles of Owhyhee.
Land more lovely sun ne'er shone on than these isles of Owhyhee,
Spendthrift Nature's wild profusion fashioned them like fairy bowers;
Yet behind — below the sweetness,— underneath the passion-flowers,
Lurked grim deeds, and things of horror, grisly Deaths, and ceaseless
Fears,
Fears and Deaths that walked in Darkness, grisly Deaths and ceaseless
Fears.