Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FORTUNATE ISLES, by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: You sail and you seek for the fortunate isles Last Line: And these, o friend, are the fortunate isles. Alternate Author Name(s): Miller, Joaquin Subject(s): Religion; Theology | ||||||||
You sail and you seek for the Fortunate Isles, The old Greek Isles of the yellow bird's song? Then steer straight on through the watery miles, Straight on, straight on, and you can't go wrong. Nay not to the left, nay not to the right, But on, straight on, and the Isles are in sight, The old Greek Isles where yellow birds sing And life lies girt with a golden ring. These Fortunate Isles they are not so far, They lie within reach of the lowliest door; You can see them gleam by the twilight star; You can hear them sing by the moon's white shore -- Nay, never look back! Those leveled grave stones They were landing steps; they were steps unto thrones Of glory for souls that have gone before, And have set white feet on the fortunate shore. And what are the names of the Fortunate Isles? Why, Duty and Love and a large Content. Lo! these are the Isles of the watery miles, That God let down from the firmament. Aye! Duty, and Love, and a true man's trust; Your forehead to God though your feet in the dust. Aye! Duty to man, and to God meanwhiles, And these, O friend, are the Fortunate Isles. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER |
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