Arts & Sciences
On Receiving a Book from X. H.
From The Poetical Works, ed. John Nichol (1875), vol. 2
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?
Cite this poem
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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