Lake Lyrics and Other Poems

by William Wilfred Campbell

 

THE TIDES OF DAWN

 
HOW cool across the lake’s pearled, heaving floor,
    The spirit winds of morning steal in here:
    Dim mists of darkness rise from marsh and mere,
And pallid phantoms brood at morning’s door.
Beyond yon east the surfs of dawning roar, 
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    To break in flame-waves on night’s sombre beach;
    The heart still hears their impetuous, golden speech,
Imploring morn the daylight to restore.

Soon, soon, across the night’s gray, ruined walls,
    Will flood and surge the crimson tides of morn; 
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    Bathing the east and all the dusks forlorn;
Soon, soon, across the dawn’s white silence falls
    Glory and music, morning’s song and fire:
    The waking world leaps to the day’s desire.