Alfred Noyes

The Rhythm of Life

"Come back, to the tidal sun,"

The Angel of Morning said.

"There are no more songs to be won

From the sad new pulseless dead;

But the pine-wood throbs with the truth

It sang to the heart of a boy!

Come back, to the hills of youth,

Enjoyer and giver of joy.


"Come back, to the tidal sea

And its great storm-guiding tune,

By the service of law set free

To sing with the sun and the moon;

To pulse with the blood and the breath,

And to ebb ere the flow can cloy,

In the rhythm of life and death,

Enjoyer and giver of joy."