THEN, standing by the shore, I saw the moon Change hue, and dwindle in the west, as when Warm looks fade inward out of dying eyes, And the dim sea began to moan. I knew My hour had come, and to the bark I went. Still were the stately decks, and hung with silk Of stoled crimson: at the mast-head burned A steadfast fire with influence like a star, And underneath a couch of gold. I loosed The dripping chain. There was not any wind: But all at once the magic sails began To belly and heave, and like a bat that wakes And flits by night, beneath her swarthy wings The black ship rocked and moved. I heard anon A humming in the cordage and a sound Like bees in summer, and the bark went on, And on, and on, until at last the world Was rolled away and folded out of sight, And I was all alone on the great sea. There a deep awe fell on my spirit. My wound Began to bite. I, gazing round, beheld A lady sitting silent at the helm, A woman white as death, and fair as dreams. I would have asked her "Whither do we sail?" And "how?" but that my fear clung at my heart, And held me still. She, answering my doubt, Said slowly, "To the Isle of Avalon." And straightway we were nigh a strand all gold, That glittered in the moon between the dusk Of hanging bowers made rich with blooms and balms, From which faint gusts came to me; and I heard A sound of lutes among the vales, and songs And voices faint like voices through a dream That said or seemed to say, "Hail, Hermandiaz!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LITTLE BOY LOST, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE MARIE MIGNOT by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM TO MARY SINTON LEITCH, POET AND FRIEND by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE TAKE YOUR CHOICE: AS EDGAR LEE MASTERS WOULD HANDLE IT. HILDA HYDE by BERTON BRALEY |