Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By HermanMelville

388 Crossing the Tropics

WHILE now the Pole Star sinks from sight

The Southern Cross it climbs the sky;

But losing thee, my love, my light,

O bride but for one bridal night,

The loss no rising joys supply.

Love, love, the Trade Winds urge abaft,

And thee, from thee, they steadfast waft.

By day the blue and silver sea

And chime of waters blandly fanned,—

Nor these, nor Gama’s stars to me

May yield delight, since still for thee

I long as Gama longed for land.

I yearn, I yearn, reverting turn,

My heart it streams in wake astern.

When, cut by slanting sleet, we swoop

Where raves the world’s inverted year,

If roses all your porch shall loop,

Not less your heart for me will droop,

Doubling the world’s last outpost drear

O love, O love, these oceans vast:

Love, love, it is as death were past!