Classic Poem

In the fresh sunlight how the bay
Laughs, leaps and shines!
How softly now the breezes stray
Among the pines!

Silence: a murmur scarcely heard
Comes from the land;
The cry of some o'erpassing bird,
And on the sand

A baby's laughter as the foam
Runs round its feet:
My heart, on earth is any home
So calm, so sweet?

This restfulness, this happy calm
That fill mine eyes
With tears… O God, is this Thy balm
For agonies?

Have pity, O God, on me who fall
So low, so mean…
Pierce not mine aching heart with all
That might have been!