Classic Poem

ON RECEIVING SOME SEA-SHELLS .

My sincere thanks to you, dear friend,
For those pretty shells I send;
Tokens they are of friendship true,
So kind and thoughtful 'twas of you
To send those shells to me.
From where you're now, in perfect ease,
Recovering at Los Angeles;
The needed strength and vigor such
As you, dear, seek and crave so much
I seem to-day to see!

I see you, when the tide goes out,
Pursuing eagerly the route
That leads you to the sunny beach
Of circling cove and bayland reach,
Where the great foaming sea
Has lately thrown up with its swell
Flowers, pebbles, moss and shell;
There 'neath fair California's skies
I see your beauty-loving eyes
With rapid scrutiny.

Selecting rainbowed moonstones bright,
Pink shells and pebbles smooth and white;
I see you watching, day by day,
The ships which safe at anchor lay,
With curiosity;
Looking upon the ocean grand,
Tracking the white and glist'ning sand,
Gazing with eager, keen delight
After the soaring seagull's flight
Above the raging sea.

Again my thanks for these, dear friend,
To you with wishes true I send,
That in that land of pleasant clime,
Of never-ceasing summer-time
And rarest scenery,
Wooded hills, with clustering vine;
Sea-winds, flowers, fruit and wine
Will give you back your needed health, —
Whose worth is more than Fame or wealth —
'Mid Nature's greenery.