Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/155



T chanced to me upon a time to sail
 * Across the Southern Ocean to and fro;

And, landing at fair isles, by stream and vale
 * Of sensuous blessing did we ofttimes go.

And months of dreamy joys, like joys in sleep,
 * Or like a clear, calm stream o'er mossy stone,

Unnoted passed our hearts with voiceless sweep,
 * And left us yearning still for lands unknown.

And when we found one,—for 'tis soon to find
 * In thousand-isled Cathay another isle,—

For one short noon its treasures filled the mind.
 * And then again we yearned, and ceased to smile.

And so it was, from isle to isle we passed,
 * Like wanton bees or boys on flowers or lips;