On Revisiting the Sea-Shore[;] After Long Absence, Under Strong Medical Recommendation not to Bathe

1. 1God be with thee, gladsome Ocean!
2. 2How gladly greet I thee once more!
3. 3Ships and waves, and ceaseless motion,
4. 4And men rejoicing on thy shore.

1. 5Dissuading spake the mild Physician,
2. 6'Those briny waves for thee are Death!'
3. 7But my soul fulfilled her mission,
4. 8And lo! I breathe untroubled breath!

1. 9Fashion's pining sons and daughters,
2. 10That seek the crowd they seem to fly,
3. 11Trembling they approach thy waters;
4. 12And what cares Nature, if they die?

1. 13Me a thousand hopes and pleasures
2. 14A thousand recollections bland,
3. 15Thoughts sublime, and stately measures,
4. 16Revisit on thy echoing strand:

1. 17Dreams (the Soul herself forsaking),
2. 18Tearful raptures, boyish mirth;
3. 19Silent adorations, making
4. 20A blessed shadow of this Earth!

1. 21O ye hopes, that stir within me,
2. 22Health comes with you from above!
3. 23God is with me, God is in me!
4. 24I cannot die, if Life be Love.