Thomas Hood

The Lee Shore

Sleet! and hail! and thunder!
And ye winds that rave,
Till the sands there under
Tinge the sullen wave --

Winds, that like a demon
Howl with horrid note
Round the toiling seaman,
In his tossing boat --

From his humble dwelling
On the shingly shore,
Where the billows swelling
Keep such hollow roar --

From that weeping woman,
Seeking with her cries
Succor superhuman
From the frowning skies --

From the urchin pining
For his father's knee --
From the lattice shining,
Drive him out to sea!

Let broad leagues dissever
Him from yonder foam; --
O, God! to think man ever
Comes too near his home!