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1852–1933

SEA AND SHORE

Henry Van Dyke

Music, I yield to thee As swimmer to the sea, I give my spirit to the flood of song! Bear me upon thy breast

In rapture and at rest, Bathe me in pure delight and make me strong; From strife and struggle bring release, And draw the waves of passion into tides of peace.

Remembered songs most dear In living songs I hear, While blending voices gently swing and sway, In melodies of love,

Whose mighty currents move With singing near and singing far away; Sweet in the glow of morning light, And sweeter still across the starlit gulf of night.

Music, in thee we float, And lose the lonely note Of self in thy celestial-ordered strain, Until at last we find

The life to love resigned In harmony of joy restored again; And songs that cheered our mortal days Break on the shore of light in endless hymns of praise.

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SEA AND SHORE · Henry Van Dyke · Poetry Cove