Sea God

Let me snuff thee up, sea breeze! and whinny in thy spray. Forbid it, sea god! intercede for me with Neptune, O sweet Amphitrite, that no dull clod may fall on my coffin! Be mine the tomb that swallowed up Pharaoh and all his hosts; let me lie down with Drake where he sleeps in the sea. -Herman Melville, White Jacket, 1850

Paradise Lost

Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste Brought death into the world, and all our woe, With loss of Eden. -John Milton (1608-1674), Paradise Lost

Distant Sea

Sophocles long ago Heard it on the Ægean, and it brought Into his mind the turbid ebb and flow Of human misery; we Find also in the sound a thought, Hearing it by this distant northern sea. -Matthew Arnold, Dover Beach, 1867

Name in Sand

One day I wrote her name upon the strand; But came the waves, and washed it away: Again, I wrote it with a second hand; But came the tide, and made my pains his prey. -Edmund Spenser (c.1552-1599), One Day I Wrote Her Name upon the Strand

Evening Song

Two fairer birds I yet did never see; The snow which doth the top of Pindus strew Did never whiter shew, Nor Jove himself, when he a swan would be For love of Leda, whiter did appear; -Edmund Spenser (c.1552-1599), Prothalamion

Angel's Flight

For sure they did not seem To be begot of any earthly seed, But rather angels, or of angels' breed; -Edmund Spenser (c.1552-1599), Prothalamion

Happy Hour

"Ye gentle birds! the world's fair ornament, And heaven's glory, whom this happy hour Doth lead unto your lovers' blissful bower, Joy may you have, and gentle heart's content Of your love's couplement; -Edmund Spenser (c.1552-1599), Prothalamion

Eternal Whispers

It keeps eternal whisperings around Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell Gluts twice ten thousand caverns. -John Keats (1795-1821), On the Sea

Wondrous Moment

Then die, that she The common fate of all things rare     May read in thee, How small a part of time they share     That are so wondrous sweet and fair. -Edmund Waller (1606-1687), Go, Lovely Rose

Suffering of Desires

Small is the worth Of beauty from the light retired:     Bid her come forth, Suffer herself to be desired,     And not blush so to be admired. -Edmund Waller (1606-1687), Go, Lovely Rose