Poem by Mathilde Blind

On the Lighthouse at Antibes

A stormy light of sunset glows and glares
    Between two banks of cloud, and o'er the brine
    Thy fair lamp on the sky's carnation line
Alone on the lone promontory flares:
Friend of the Fisher who at nightfall fares
    Where lurk false reefs masked by the hyaline
    Of dimpling waves, within whose smile divine
Death lies in wait behind Circean snares.

The evening knows thee ere the evening star;
    Or sees that flame sole Regent of the bight,
When storm, hoarse rumoured by the hills afar,
    Makes mariners steer landward by thy light,
Which shows through shock of hostile nature's war
    How man keeps watch o'er man through deadliest night.

1. The Red Sunsets, 1883 (The twilight heavens are flushed with gathering light)
2. The Music-Lesson
3. Manchester by Night
4. The Passing Year
5. Song (Thou walkest with me as the spirit-light)

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