Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam,When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark;For, though from out the bourne of Time and PlaceThe flood may bear me far,I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.
Tennyson.
Author.-Tennyson (see "The Bugle Song ").
General Notes.-Discuss all that is involved in the words "sunset," "evening star, " "moaning of the bar, " " tide, " "bourne of Time and Space. " Mark the serene majesty and simplicity of the poem. In the last two lines the metaphor is hard to follow. Could we say that here Captain and Pilot are one ? Recall other poems on the same theme- Browning"s Prospice, Henley"s The Happy Passing, Gordon"s The Sick Stockrider, etc. Which do you prefer ?