DAWN ON A SAILING VESSEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19847, 16 January 1920, Page 7

DAWN ON A SAILING VESSEL.

Dawn. Along the water-line a pale leaden streak appears, and little tremulous ripples of gray run gently upwards until a broad band of mingled white and scarlet shines with a cold radiance. The mystery of the sea is suddenly removed, ami wo can watch the strange serpentine, belts that twine and glitter all round onr vessel to the horizon. The light is strung before the sun appears; and perhaps that brooding hour, when Nature seems to be turning in her sleep, is tho best of the whole day The dew lies thickly on deck, and the chill of the night bangs in tho air; but soon a, red arc looms tip gorgeously at tho sea-line; long rays spread out like a sheaf of splendid swords on tho blue ; there is, as it were, a wild dance of colour in the noble vault, where cold green and pink and crimson wind and flush and softly glide in mystic mazes: and then—tho sun! The great flaming disk seems to poise for a little, and all around it—pierced hero and there by the steely rays—the clouds Inum like tossing scarlet plumes.

Like a warrior-angel sped On a mighty mission, Light and life about him shed— A transcendent vision! Mailed in gold and firo he stands, And, with splendours shaken, Bids the slumbering seas and lands Quicken and awaken. Day is on ns. Dreams are dumb, Thought lias light for neighbour: Room! The rival giants come—--80, the Sun and Labour! . . . As the lights from east and west meet and mingle, and the sky rears its blue immensity, it is hard to look on tor very gladness. —James Runciman.