Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.

IX. Written While Sailing on the Gulf of Lepanto

Aubrey Thomas de Vere (1814–1902)

ALL round they lie, deep breath to breath replying,—

Those outworn seamen in their well-earned sleep:

From the blue concave to the dim blue deep

No sound beside. Fluttering all night, or sighing,

Since morn the breeze delicious hath been dying,

And now is dead. On yonder snowy steep

The majesty of Day diffused is lying;

Whilst Evening’s Powers in silence seaward creep,

From glens that violet-shade the lilac vest

Of Delphi’s hills. Ye mariners, sleep well!

Run slowly, golden sands, and noiselessly.

There stands the great Corinthian citadel;

Parnassus there. Rest, wearied pinnace, rest!

Sleep, sacred air! sleep on, marmorean sea!