| |
| DEEP set in distant seas it lies; | |
| The morning vapors float and fall, | |
| The noonday clouds above it rise, | |
| Then drop as white as virgin’s pall. | |
| |
| And sometimes, when that shroud uplifts, | 5 |
| The far green fields show strange and fair; | |
| Mute waterfalls in silver rifts | |
| Sparkle adown the hillside bare. | |
| |
| But ah! mists gather more and more; | |
| And though the blue sky has no tears, | 10 |
| And the sea laughs with light all o’er, | |
| The lovely island disappears. | |
| |
| O vanished island of the blest! | |
| O dream of all things pure and high! | |
| Hid in deep seas, as faithful breast | 15 |
| Hides loves that have but seemed to die,— | |
| |
| Whether on seas dividing tossed, | |
| Or led through fertile lands the while, | |
| Better lose all things than have lost | |
| The memory of the morning isle! | 20 |
| |
| For lo! when gloaming shadows glide, | |
| And all is calm in earth and air, | |
| Above the heaving of the tide | |
| The lonely island rises fair; | |
| |
| Its purple peaks shine, outlined grand | 25 |
| And clear, as noble lives nigh done; | |
| While stretches bright from land to land | |
| The broad sea-pathway to the sun. | |
| |
| He wraps it in his glory’s blaze, | |
| He stoops to kiss its forehead cold; | 30 |
| And, all transfigured by his rays, | |
| It gleams—an isle of molten gold. | |
| |
| The sun may set, the shades descend, | |
| Earth sleep, and yet while sleeping smile; | |
| But it will live unto life’s end,— | 35 |
| That vision of the Golden Isle. | |
| |
