Sea-Birds

O lonesome sea-gull, floating far   Over the ocean’s icy waste, Aimless and wide thy wanderings are,   Forever vainly seeking rest:—   Where is thy mate, and where thy nest? ’Twixt wintry sea and wintry sky,   Cleaving the keen air with thy breast, Thou sailest slowly, solemnly;   No fetter on thy wing is pressed:—   Where is thy mate, and where thy nest? O restless, homeless human soul,   Following for aye thy nameless quest, The gulls float, and the billows roll;   Thou watchest still, and questionest:—   Where is thy mate, and where thy nest?