WITHIN an open curled sea of gold, A bark of ivory one day I saw, Which striking with his oars did seem to draw Tow'rds a fair coast which I then did behold. A lady held the stern, while her white hand, Whiter than either ivory or sail, Over the surging waves did so prevail, That she had now approached near the land. When suddenly, as if she fear'd some wrack (And yet the sky was fair, and air was clear, And neither rock nor monster did appear), Doubting the point which spi'd, she turned back. Then with a second course I saw her steer As if she meant to reach some other bay, Where being approach'd she likewise turn'd away, Though in the bark some waves now ent'red were. Thus varying oft her course, at last I found, While I in quest of the adventure go, The sail took down, and oars had ceas'd to row, And that the bark itself was run aground. Wherewith earth's fairest creature I behold, For which both bark and sea I gladly lost. Let no philosopher of knowledge boast, Unless that he my vision can unfold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SUMMER WIND by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT LINES INSCRIBED UPON A CUP FORMED FROM A SKULL by GEORGE GORDON BYRON THE BOHEMIAN HYMN by RALPH WALDO EMERSON HYMN: FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY: 2 by REGINALD HEBER THE COMMON LOT by JAMES MONTGOMERY AT BETHLEHEM: 1. THE CHILD by JOHN BANISTER TABB THE BIRDS: THE HOOPOE'S CALL TO HIS WIFE PROCNE, THE NIGHTINGALE by ARISTOPHANES |