Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79.

New England: Newport, R. I.

The Cliffs at Newport

By Ruth Dana

O NEWPORT! chosen sweetheart of the sea,

Wooed by the waves at each returning tide;

The strong rocks guard thee, lest thou daintily

Shouldst, slipping ’twixt their crags, flee as his bride.

O waves! that beat upon a hopeless shore,

That ask and call, and, weeping, turn again,

So shall you rise and fall forevermore,

Nor even time shall bring you joy for pain.

Within the silent chamber of my heart

It is as with the city and the sea;

For Fate is strong, and holds me still apart

From one who hopes, and, trusting, waits for me.