Classic Poem

One Summer day, when birds flew high,
I saw a child step into the sea;
It glowed, and sparkled at her touch,
And softly plashed about her knee.
It held her lightly with its strength,
It kissed and kissed her silken hair;
It swayed with tenderness to know
A little child was in its care.

She, gleeful, dipped her pretty arms,
And caught the sparkles in her hands;
I heard her laughter, as she soon
Came skipping up the sunny sands.
" Is this the cruel sea? " I thought,
" The merciless, the awful sea? " —
Now hear the answer soft and true,
That rippled over the beach to me:

" Shall not the sea, in the sun, be glad
When a child doth come to play?
Had it been in the storm-time, what could I,
The sea, but bear her away —
Bear her away on my foaming crest,
Toss her and hurry her to her rest?

" Be it life or death, God ruleth me;
And he loveth every soul;
I've an earthly shore and a heavenly shore,
And toward them both I roll;
Shining and beautiful, both, are they, —
And a little child will go God's way. "