Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891.
Flood-TideMargaret (Junkin) Preston (18201897)
T
Unfolds itself before the eyes of men,—
Whether through sculptor’s chisel, poet’s pen,
Or painter’s wondrous brush,—there comes, full fraught
With instant revelation, lightning-wrought,
A moment of supremest heart-swell, when
The mind leaps to the tidal crest, and then
Sweeps on triumphant to the harbor sought.
Shall roll their gathering strength in one, and lift
From out the swamping trough thy galleon free;
Mount with the whirl, command the rush that raves
A maelstrom round; then proudly shoreward drift,
Rich-freighted as an Indian argosy.