On Calais Sands
ON Calais Sands the grey began,Then rosy red above the grey,The morn with many a scarlet vanLeap’d, and the world was glad with May!The little waves along the bayBroke white upon the shelving strands;The sea-mews flitted white as theyOn Calais Sands!
On Calais Sands must man with manWash honour clean in blood to-day;On spaces wet from waters wanHow white the flashing rapiers play,Parry, riposte! and lunge! The frayShifts for a while, then mournful standsThe Victor: life ebbs fast awayOn Calais Sands!
On Calais Sands a little spaceOf silence, then the plash and spray,The sound of eager waves that ranTo kiss the perfumed locks astray,To touch these lips that ne’er said ‘Nay,’To dally with the helpless hands;Till the deep sea in silence layOn Calais Sands!
Between the lilac and the mayShe waits her love from alien lands;Her love is colder than the clayOn Calais Sands!