SEEING:—

From my nest on shore I gaze across the sea to a tiny speck of white which appears on the horizon—a fluttering sail.

Suddenly, a swiftly darting thing of gray—a puff of smoke—

I strain my eyes in vain, but nowhere can be seen a fluttering sail of white or the darting thing of gray.

Only the ever-moving sea, gleaming with light!

FEELING:—

What tragedy has been enacted?

How many souls have silently bid adieu to the sunshine and the sea?

To what home is the news carried?

How many hearts are made to suffer?

How many homes bereft?

TASTING:—

I sit and gaze from my nest on land, but only a wall of gray can I distinguish.

Suddenly upon my lips a taste of salt!

Can it be that I, too, have been submerged and the waters of the sea caress my lips?

Alas! no! for the gray wall fades away and before my eyes is a sunlit sea with nothing in sight and upon my lips only my tears.

HEARING:—

From out my nest I gaze upon the sea. Gray it is, from leaden sky.

A deadly silence—then the tramp of myriad feet.

Suddenly the stillness is shattered by a volley and the last honors of the land are given to my all!!

TOUCHING:—

From outside my nest I gaze upon the sea.

My hands clasp only the leaves of many flowers and dampened earth, when leaden sky is reft and the tears of the angels of heaven fall upon my head in understanding,—and are added to the sea!

From out my nest I gaze across the sea.