Straight is the line of beauty,
Nor curved as often said:
Look far away o'er ocean,
Across the briny bed.
Straight is the long horizon,
Straight as the line of duty;
Though heaven is arched above us
Straight is the line of beauty.
Old ocean's bed is bended,
Old ocean's surface too,
But beauty is not ended
When curved away from you.
Straight is the line of beauty!
When love has made retreat
The heart has one sweet duty,
Straight to the maiden's feet.
