Crossing the Bar

by Alfred, Lord Tenysson

Peace and confidence at the end of life

Sand bar

• Aerial view• Of sandbar

Underwater profile of a sandbar

Waves breaking on a sandbar

High and low tide

Bourne flowing into the ocean

Evening star

Twilight

Evening bell

Crossing the Bar• Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!And may there be no moaning of the bar,When I put out to sea,

• But such a tide as moving seems asleep,Too full for sound and foam,When that which drew from out the boundless deepTurns again home.

• Twilight and evening bell,And after that the dark!And may there be no sadness of farewell,When I embark;

• For tho' from out our bourne of Time and PlaceThe flood may bear me far,I hope to see my Pilot face to faceWhen I have crossed the bar.

Crossing the BarSunset and evening star,And one clear call for me!And may there be no moaning (sound of pain) of the bar,When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,Too full for sound and foam,When that which drew from out the boundless deep Lit: deep sea Fig: eternityTurns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,And after that the dark!And may there be no sadness of farewell,When I embark;

For (because) tho' (although) from out our bourne (small river)of Time and PlaceThe flood may bear me far,I hope to see my Pilot (Met: God) face to faceWhen I have crossed the bar.

This is a noun clause. It is a

periphrasis for SOUL.

Jorge Manrique (1440-1479)   Coplas por la muerte de su padre  

Recuerde el alma dormida, avive el seso y despiertecontemplandocómo se pasa la vida,cómo se viene la muerte 5tan callando,cuán presto se va el placer,cómo, después de acordado,da dolor;cómo, a nuestro parecer, 10cualquiera tiempo pasadofue mejor. •

Pues si vemos lo presentecómo en un punto se es idoy acabado, 15si juzgamos sabiamente,daremos lo no venidopor pasado.No se engañe nadie, no,pensando que ha de durar 20lo que espera,más que duró lo que vioporque todo ha de pasarpor tal manera.•  

Nuestras vidas son los ríos 25que van a dar en la mar,que es el morir;allí van los señoríosderechos a se acabary consumir; 30allí los ríos caudales,allí los otros medianosy más chicos,y llegados, son igualeslos que viven por sus manos 35y los ricos.