[From Douglas and other poems]

THE DOUGLAS IRON PIER.

I.

HERE stands in lovely Douglas Bay,
An Iron Pier, so grand for walking,
Where hundreds promenade every day,
So gaily dressed and lively talking.

II.

But chief at eve, at eight about,
After th' arrival of the steamers,
The Pier looks best, for then come out
The ladies decked with flowers and streamers.

III.

And sweet it is these belles to see
Of Mona's Isle and other places,
All promenading in their glee,
With beaming eyes, and oh ! what faces !

IV.

The aptest language ne'er could tell
The beauties of these charming creatures,
So fair, they seem to have a spell,
They have such pleasing forms and features.

V.

The scenery around is grand,
The sea beneath which rolls in glory
Is clear as crystal, and the sand
Is bright, as in a fairy story.

VI.

The waveless murmur as they flow
To kiss the pebbly shore so golden,
While fresh'ning Zephyrs softly blow
Around us, as in days of olden.

VII.

Upon the waters, deeply blue,
Glide the little boats so lightly;
While on the distant hills, a hue
Of richest purple rests so brightly.

VIII.

On summer eves musicians play,
The people here all love romancing,
Which makes them animated, gay,
Tho' here is not permitted dancing.

IX.

When Evening round her mantle throws,
And shines the Moon upon the ocean,
When all is steeped in calm repose,
And not a wave appears in motion,

X.

'Tis sweet to sit when all is still,
And watch the pale Moon sailing o'er us,
And think of those we love, until
The future brightly lies before us.

July, 1873.