Whoever sails near to Bermuda coast Goes hard aboard the monarchy of fear Where all desires, but life's desire, are lost, For wealth and fame put off their glories there. Yet this isle, poison-like, by mischief known, Weans not desire from her sweet nurse, the sea, But unseen shows us where our hopes be sown, With woeful signs declaring joyful way. For who will seek the wealth of western sun Oft by Bermuda's miseries must run. Who seeks the god of love in beauty's sky Must pass the empire of confused passion Where our desires to all but horrors die Before that joy and peace can take their fashion. Yet this fair heaven that yields this soul-despair Weans not the heart from his sweet god, affection, But rather shows us what sweet joys are there Where constancy is servant to perfection. Who Caelica's chaste heart then seeks to move Must joy to suffer all the woes of love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CARLYLE AND EMERSON by MONTGOMERY SCHUYLER INCIDENT AT BRUGES by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH ON A YOUNG BRIDE DROWNED IN THE BOSPHORUS by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS ON LYNN TERRACE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH OF A WINNOWER OF WHEAT TO THE WINDS by JOACHIM DU BELLAY A GIRL'S SONG ON HER LOVER, PAIDIN RUADH by CHARLES BEWLEY TO A FRIEND, WITH A VOLUME OF VERSES by MATHILDE BLIND |