I.
Waft of beaten brine of the Bay,
Tonic keen as steel in strife,
Blowing wet and cool in my face,
Tang of bitter savor of life!
II.
Billows calm of whitest fog,
Over ships and homes now roll,—
Breath of seas in quest of heaven,
Groping blind as human soul,
Blearing, hiding, muffling all,—
Life itself laid under the shroud!
III.
Breath-blown veils of faltering mist,
Filmy dreams of luminous cloud,
Shifting curtains fret with air,
Noiseless sped as northern lights;
Opening, shutting gaps of blue,
Gleams and glories, glooms and nights!
Torn by winds and riven in spray,
Borne afar o'er pine trees tall,
Clinging round the mountain crests,
Melt in azure roofing all!
IV.
Mystic phantom, mime of life:
Witching visions, vanishing play,
Belts of shadow, rending veils,
Cloudless dome of perfect day!
V.
Come again, white vapor of seas,
Blow thy pungent balm in my face,
Soft illusions weave o'er earth,
Charm me up to heaven's embrace!