Where is the world we roved, Ned Bunn? Hollows thereof lay rich in shade By voyagers old inviolate thrown Ere Paul Pry cruised with Pelf and Trade. To us old lads some thoughts come home Who roamed a world young lads no more shall roam. Nor less the satiate year impends When, wearying of routine-resorts, The pleasure-hunter shall break loose, Ned, for our Pantheistic ports: -- Marquesas and glenned isles that be Authentic Edens in a Pagan sea. The charm of scenes untried shall lure, And, Ned, a legend urge the flight -- The Typee-truants under stars Unknown to Shakespeare's Midsummer-Night; And man, if lost to Saturn's Age, Yet feeling life no Syrian pilgrimage. But, tell, shall he the tourist find Our isles the same in violet-glow Enamoring us what years and years -- Ah, Ned, what years and years ago! Well, Adam advances, smart in pace, But scarce by violets that advance you trace. But we, in anchor-watches calm, The Indian Psyche's languor won, And, musing, breathed primeval balm From Edens ere yet over-run; Marvelling mild if mortal twice, Here and hereafter, touch a Paradise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BATTLE BALLAD TO GENERAL J.E. JOHNSTON by FRANCIS ORRERY TICKNOR ESTRANGEMENT by WILLIAM WATSON HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON by PHILLIS WHEATLEY THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by MARIA ABDY ON MRS PRIESTLEY'S LEAVING WARRINGTON by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD GLOW OF DAWN by ELIDA PATTISON BENTLEY THE GLORY OF ISRAEL by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |