In the freedom that fills all the space 'twixt the marsh and the skies: By so many roots as the marsh grass sends in the sod I will heartily lay me a-hold on the greatness of God: Oh, like to the greatness of God is the greatness within The range of the marshes, the liberal marshes of Glynn. And the sea lends large, as the marsh: lo, out of his plenty the sea Pours fast: full soon the time of the flood tide must be: Look how the grace of the sea doth go About and about through the intricate channels that flow Here and there, Everywhere, Till his waters have flooded the uttermost creeks and the low-lying lanes, And the marsh is meshed with a million veins, That like as with rosy and silvery essences flow In the rose-and-silver evening glow. Farewell, my lord Sun! The creeks overflow: a thousand rivulets run 'Twixt the roots of the sod; the blades of the marsh grass stir; Passeth a hurrying sound of wings that westward whir; Passeth, and all is still; and the currents cease to run; And the sea and the marsh are one. How still the plains of the waters be! The tide is in his ecstasy; The tide is at its highest height: And it is night. And now from the Vast of the Lord will the waters of sleep Roll in on the souls of men, But who will reveal to our waking ken The forms that swim and the shapes that creep Under the waters of sleep? And I would I could know what swimmeth below when the tide comes in On the length and the breadth of the marvelous marshes of Glynn. HELPS TO STUDY. Notes and Questions. What can you tell of the coastal plain in Georgia? What effect on the poet had the "dusks of the oak" at noon? At sunset what appealed more strongly to him? How does the poet account for his lack of fear of the marshes now? In the marsh region what is "lord of the land"? What characteristics of the marshes does the poet point out? What comparisons are found in lines fifty to fifty-five? To what does the poet compare the extent of the marshes of Glynn? In this region when does the flood tide come? What tells you? Which picture in the poem do you like best? Explain: "Passeth a hurrying sound of wings that westward whir." What is the meaning of the last nine lines? Do you like this poem? Why? What can you tell of the author? Point out parts that you like best. Find examples of alliteration. Why does the poet repeat "I am drawn"? Select lines that are especially beautiful. Words and Phrases for Discussion. "glimmering" "Vanishing" "swerving" "Like a lane into heaven that leads from a dream" "Bending your beauty aside" "intricate channels" "uttermost creeks" "Glynn"--a county in Georgia which borders on the Atlantic. "live oak"--a species of oak found along the coasts of the southern states. "catholic man"--a broad-minded man. "braided dusks"--shadows of branches crossing one another.