[From Poems from Manxland,1868]

ONCHAN.

How oft have I on Onchan's caverned shore
Attuned my fancies to the wild waves roar,
And felt their mystic music stir and pass
Into my soul, like winds thro' meadow grass-
Long meadow grass that, with a measured motion,
Mimics the mighty, restless, balanced ocean.

E'en so, mine ear, from Neptune's tuneful shell
Hath caught its rhythm-a wild fitful spell
Of melody; gentle or turbulent
It seizes on my spirit till 'tis blent
With elemental Nature, and I seem to sing
Accompanied by the viewless choir of Ocean's king.

These frenzies ne'er possessed me till I came
Drawn, fair Eubonia, by thy mythic fame
And far renown, to wander with thy streams
Until their lyrics over-run my dreams;
But what may this strange malady betoken,
Still songs to hear that ne'er were sung nor spoken ?