Fragment - August 18, 1847

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

    O faithful, indefatigable tides,
    That evermore upon God's errands go,--
    Now seaward bearing tidings of the land,--
    Now landward bearing tidings of the sea,--
    And filling every frith and estuary,
    Each arm of the great sea, each little creek,
    Each thread and filament of water-courses,
    Full with your ministration of delight!
    Under the rafters of this wooden bridge
    I see you come and go; sometimes in haste
    To reach your journey's end, which being done
    With feet unrested ye return again
    And recommence the never-ending task;
    Patient, whatever burdens ye may bear,
    And fretted only by the impeding rocks.