A Quest
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.