ALL in the summer even, When sea and sky were bright, As royally the sunset Went forth to meet the night, My Love and I were sailing Into the shining West, To find some Happy Island, Some Paradise of rest. We steered where sunset splendor Made golden all the shore; The rocks behind its brightness Were cruel as before. Within the caves sang sirens; But there the whirlpools be: Not there the Happy Islands, Not there the peaceful sea. Toward the deep mid-ocean Tides ran and swift winds blew; It must be there those Islands Await the longing view. Their shores are soft with verdure, Their skies for ever fair, And always is the fragrance Of blossoms on the air. I set our sail to seek them, But she, my Love, drew back: "Not yet; the night is chilly, I fear that unknown track." So home we sailed, at twilight, To the familiar shore; Turned from the golden glory, To live the old life o'er. We'll make no further ventures, -- For timid is my Love, -- Until fresh sailing orders Are sent us from above. Then past the deep mid-ocean 'Twixt life and Life we'll steer, To land on happier islands Than those we dreamed of here. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPISTLE TO AUGUSTA by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SHUT OUT THAT MOON by THOMAS HARDY MILTON'S PRAYER [OF PATIENCE, OR, IN BLINDNESS] by ELIZABETH LLOYD HOWELL THE SLAVE'S DREAM by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW TO HELEN (1) by EDGAR ALLAN POE |