Stanzas Written in Dejection near Naples

THE sun is warm the sky is clear  
The waves are dancing fast and bright  
Blue isles and snowy mountains wear 
The purple noon's transparent might: 
The breath of the moist earth is light 5 
Around its unexpanded buds; 
Like many a voice of one delight¡ª 
The winds' the birds' the ocean-floods'¡ª 
The city's voice itself is soft like solitude's.
 

I see the deep's untrampled floor 10 
With green and purple seaweeds strown; 
I see the waves upon the shore 
Like light dissolved in star-showers thrown.
 
I sit upon the sands alone; 
The lightning of the noontide ocean 15 
Is flashing round me and a tone 
Arises from its measured motion¡ª 
How sweet did any heart now share in my emotion! 

Alas! I have nor hope nor health  
Nor peace within nor calm around; 20 
Nor that content surpassing wealth  
The sage in meditation found  
And walk'd with inward glory crown'd; 
Nor fame nor power nor love nor leisure.
 
Others I see whom these surround¡ª 25 
Smiling they live and call life pleasure: 
To me that cup has been dealt in another measure.
 

Yet now despair itself is mild  
Even as the winds and waters are; 
I could lie down like a tired child 30 
And weep away the life of care 
Which I have borne and yet must bear ¡ª 
Till death like sleep might steal on me  
And I might feel in the warm air 
My cheek grow cold and hear the sea 35 
Breathe o'er my dying brain its last monotony.
 

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