Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79. | | | | Southampton | | Southampton Water | | William Lisle Bowles (1762–1850) |
| | | SMOOTH went our boat upon the summer seas, | |
| Leaving, for so it seemed, the world behind, | |
| Its sounds of mingled uproar; we reclined | |
| Upon the sunny deck, heard but the breeze | |
| That o’er us whispering passed, or idly played | 5 |
| With the lithe flag aloft. A woodland scene | |
| On either side drew its slope line of green, | |
| And hung the water’s shining edge with shade. | |
| Above the woods, Netley! thy ruins pale | |
| Peered as we passed; and Vecta’s azure hue | 10 |
| Beyond the misty castle met our view; | |
| Where in mid channel hung the scarce-seen sail. | |
| So all was calm and sunshine as we went | |
| Cheerily o’er the briny element. | |
| O, were this little boat to us the world, | 15 |
| As thus we wandered far from sounds of care, | |
| Circled by friends and gentle maidens fair, | |
| Whilst morning airs the waving pennant curled; | |
| How sweet were life’s long voyage till in peace | |
| We gained that haven still, where all things cease! | 20 | | | |
|
|
