"'I sought the town, and to the ocean gave / 'My mind and thoughts, as restless as the wave"
— Crabbe, George (1754-1832)
Author
Work Title
Date
1819
Metaphor
"'I sought the town, and to the ocean gave / 'My mind and thoughts, as restless as the wave"
Metaphor in Context
"Left by that father, who was known to few,
"And to that mother, who has not her due
"Of honest fame," said Richard, "our retreat
"Was a small cottage, for our station meet,
"On Barford Downs: that mother, fond and poor,
"There taught some truths, and bade me seek for more,
"Such as our village-school and books a few
"Supplied; but such I cared not to pursue;
"I sought the town, and to the ocean gave
"My mind and thoughts, as restless as the wave:
"Where crowds assembled, I was sure to run,
"Heard what was said, and mused on what was done;
"Attentive listening in the moving scene,
"And often wondering what the men could mean.
"When ships at sea made signals of their need,
"I watch'd on shore the sailors, and their speed:
"Mix'd in their act, nor rested till I knew
"Why they were call'd, and what they were to do.
"And to that mother, who has not her due
"Of honest fame," said Richard, "our retreat
"Was a small cottage, for our station meet,
"On Barford Downs: that mother, fond and poor,
"There taught some truths, and bade me seek for more,
"Such as our village-school and books a few
"Supplied; but such I cared not to pursue;
"I sought the town, and to the ocean gave
"My mind and thoughts, as restless as the wave:
"Where crowds assembled, I was sure to run,
"Heard what was said, and mused on what was done;
"Attentive listening in the moving scene,
"And often wondering what the men could mean.
"When ships at sea made signals of their need,
"I watch'd on shore the sailors, and their speed:
"Mix'd in their act, nor rested till I knew
"Why they were call'd, and what they were to do.
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Theme
Soliloquy;
Date of Entry
03/07/2006
