Rainbow-Crested

Like white-plumed riders hurling serried ranks

         Upon a steadfast foe, the roaring seas

         Charge the rocks scarred by warring centuries,

And reel back, shattered, from their tawny flanks,

In spectral mist, or on the drifted banks

         Seethe in gray foam-flakes that the fresh’ning breeze

         Drives hurrying seaward like bewildered bees

Stunned by the chains the fettered Titan clanks!

Upon each roaring billow’s sun-lit crest

         A rainbow flashes, beautiful as dreams

That soothe the anguish of a tortured breast

         Torn by deep passion, as the wild wave seems.

The maddest billow flaunts the loveliest plume,

And sun-born Promise smiles on all the crash of doom!