Lines.

To the smooth beach the silver sea Comes rippling in a thousand smiles, And back again runs murmuringly, To break around yon distant isles. The sunshine, through a floating veil Of golden clouds, looks o'er the wave, And gilds, far off, the outline pale, Of many a rocky cape and cave. The breath of spring comes balmily Over the newly blossom'd earth; The smile of spring, on sea, and sky, Is shedding light, and love, and mirth. I would that thou wert by my side, As underneath the rosy bloom Of flowering orchard trees I ride, And drink their fragrant, fresh perfume; I would that thou wert by my side, To feel this soft air on thy brow, And listen to the chiming tide Along that smooth shore breaking now; I would that thou wert here to bless, As I do now, the love and care, That with such wealth of loveliness, Have made life's journeying-land so fair.