GEM of all isthmuses and isles that lie, Fresh or salt water's children, in clear lake Or ampler ocean: with what joy do I Approach thee, Sirmio! Oh! am I awake, Or dream that once again mine eye beholds Thee, and has looked its last on Thracian wolds? Sweetest of sweets to me that pastime seems, When the mind drops her burden: when -- the pain Of travel past -- our own cot we regain, And nestle on the pillow of our dreams! 'Tis this one thought that cheers us as we roam. Hail, O fair Sirmio! Joy, thy lord is here! Joy too, ye waters of the Golden Mere! And ring out, all ye laughter-peals of home! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF RICHARD WEST by THOMAS GRAY MY AUNT by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE ARROW AND THE SONG by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW I WOULD NOT LIVE ALWAY by WILLIAM AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG MUSIC IN CAMP by JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON MY PRAYER by HENRY DAVID THOREAU |