To Cruel Ocean.

Where are the hapless shipmen? - disappeared,
Gone down, where witness none, save Night, hath been,
Ye deep, deep waves, of kneeling mothers feared,
What dismal tales know ye of things unseen?
Tales that ye tell your whispering selves between
The while in clouds to the flood-tide ye pour;
And this it is that gives you, as I ween,
Those mournful voices, mournful evermore,
When ye come in at eve to us who dwell on shore.

Victor-Marie Hugo

Victor-Marie Hugo was a French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. He is considered one of the greatest French writers, with works such as "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame." His literary works often explore themes of justice, love, and human rights. In addition to his literary achievements, he was also a politician and human rights activist. Hugo's influence extends beyond literature into politics and society.

Victor-Marie Hugo

My Happiest Dream.

Victor-Marie Hugo, Simple Poetry

To His Orphan Grandchildren.

Victor-Marie Hugo, Simple Poetry

To Albert Dürer.

Victor-Marie Hugo, Simple Poetry

Charity.

Victor-Marie Hugo, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

The Ocean's Song.

("Nous nous promenions à Rozel-Tower.")

[Bk. VI. iv., October, 1852.]


We walked amongst the ruins famed in story
        Of Rozel-Tower,
And saw the boundless waters stretch in glory
        And heave in power.

O ocean vast! we heard thy song with wonder,
        Whilst waves marked time.
"Appeal, O Truth!" thou sang'st with tone of thunder,
        "And shine sublime!

"The world's enslaved and hunted down by beagles, -
        To despots sold,
Souls of deep thinkers, soar like mighty eagles,
        The Right uphold.

"Be born; arise; o'er earth and wild waves bounding
        Peoples and suns!
Let darkness vanish; - tocsins be resounding,
        And flash, ye guns!

"And you, - who love no pomps of fo...

Victor-Marie Hugo

The Beacon In The Storm.

("Quels sont ces bruits sourds?")

[XXIV., July 17, 1836.]


Hark to that solemn sound!
It steals towards the strand. -
Whose is that voice profound
Which mourns the swallowed land,
    With moans,
    Or groans,
New threats of ruin close at hand?
It is Triton - the storm to scorn
Who doth wind his sonorous horn.

How thick the rain to-night!
And all along the coast
The sky shows naught of light
Is it a storm, my host?
    Too soon
    The boon
Of pleasant weather will be lost
Yes, 'tis Triton, etc.

Are seamen on that speck
Afar in deepening dark?
Is that a splitting deck
Of some ill-fated bark?
    Fend harm!
    Send calm!
O Venus! show thy starry spark!
Though 'tis Triton, et...

Victor-Marie Hugo

Old Ocean.

("J'étais seul près des flots.")

[XXXVII., September 5, 1828.]


I stood by the waves, while the stars soared in sight,
Not a cloud specked the sky, not a sail shimmered bright;
Scenes beyond this dim world were revealed to mine eye;
And the woods, and the hills, and all nature around,
Seem'd to question with moody, mysterious sound,
The waves, and the pure stars on high.
And the clear constellations, that infinite throng,
While thousand rich harmonies swelled in their song,
Replying, bowed meekly their diamond-blaze -
And the blue waves, which nothing may bind or arrest,
Chorus'd forth, as they stooped the white foam of their crest
"Creator! we bless thee and praise!"

R.C. ELLWOOD

Victor-Marie Hugo

Jersey.

("Jersey dort dans les flots.")

[Bk. III. xiv., Oct. 8, 1854.]


Dear Jersey! jewel jubilant and green,
'Midst surge that splits steel ships, but sings to thee!
Thou fav'rest Frenchmen, though from England seen,
Oft tearful to that mistress "North Countree";
Returned the third time safely here to be,
I bless my bold Gibraltar of the Free.

Yon lighthouse stands forth like a fervent friend,
One who our tempest buffets back with zest,
And with twin-steeple, eke our helmsman's end,
Forms arms that beckon us upon thy breast;
Rose-posied pillow, crystallized with spray,
Where pools pellucid mirror sunny ray.

A frigate fretting yonder smoothest sky,
Like pauseless petrel poising o'er a wreck,
Strikes bright athwart the dearly dazzle...

Victor-Marie Hugo

Moonlight On The Bosphorus.

("La lune était sereine.")

[X., September, 1828.]


Bright shone the merry moonbeams dancing o'er the wave;
At the cool casement, to the evening breeze flung wide,
Leans the Sultana, and delights to watch the tide,
With surge of silvery sheen, yon sleeping islets lave.

From her hand, as it falls, vibrates the light guitar.
She listens - hark! that sound that echoes dull and low.
Is it the beat upon the Archipelago
Of some long galley's oar, from Scio bound afar?

Is it the cormorants, whose black wings, one by one,
Cut the blue wave that o'er them breaks in liquid pearls?
Is it some hovering sprite with whistling scream that hurls
Down to the deep from yon old tower a loosened stone?

Who thus disturbs the tide near the seraglio?

Victor-Marie Hugo

The Seaman's Song.

("Adieu, patrie.")

[Bk. V. ix., Aug. 1, 1852.]


    Farewell the strand,
    The sails expand
    Above!
    Farewell the land
    We love!
Farewell, old home where apples swing!
Farewell, gay song-birds on the wing!

    Farewell, riff-raff
    Of Customs' clerks who laugh
    And shout:
    "Farewell!" We'll quaff
    One bout
To thee, young lass, with kisses sweet!
Farewell, my dear - the ship flies fleet!

The fog shuts out the last fond peep,
As 'neath the prow the cast drops weep.
Farewell, old home, young lass, the bird!
The whistling wind alone is heard:
    Farewell! Farewell!

Victor-Marie Hugo