Arts & Sciences

On Receiving a Book from X. H.

by Sydney Dobell 1824–1874

From The Poetical Works, ed. John Nichol (1875), vol. 2

Arts & Sciences

Oh, great-eyed contemplation whom I saw
Walk by the blue shores of the Northern Sea
Leaning upon a giant, who for thee
Seemed gentle, while black Night far west did gnaw
The jagged Eve, and, near, the flapping caw
Round Beatoun's shadowy Tower croaked down on me
More than the gloom of Night: ere thou couldst see
Beyond the inhuman ruin, or withdraw
Thy soul from eyes, which, as one tune can fill
Two voices, made the pathos of that soul
A double passion, standing dim and still
I saw and wondered. Is this book thy scroll,
Ah Sybil? Hast thou writ the unheard cry
I saw thee look that eve to Earth and Sea and Sky?

MLA

Dobell, Sydney. “On Receiving a Book from X. H.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/dobell/105/.

Chicago

Dobell, Sydney. “On Receiving a Book from X. H.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/dobell/105/.

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