Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BON VOYAGE!, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BON VOYAGE!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To eastern lands, far-famed in song and / story
Last Line: And bring you home—the pilgrim journey through.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Friendship; Pilgrimages & Pilgrims; Sea Voyages


To Eastern lands, far-famed in song and story,
These latest pilgrims turn as to a shrine,
Their faces yearning for the ancient glory
And fain to catch anew the gleam divine.

In thought their eyes have caught the heavenly vision,
As his of old who saw the golden stair
Which made his pillowing stone a place Elysian,
While to and fro God's angels journeyed there.

Ere many days this world of axe and hammer,
Of ploughshares cleaving deep a virgin soil,
Will vanish, with its loud, insistent clamor;
And they, with joy of him who findeth spoil,

Will, each in full and overrunning measure,
Receive the blessing of the early dawn,
Discern the meanings, reap the sheaves of pleasure
The old life keeps, from our swift heart-beats gone.

Our share who stay at home will be to capture
A reflex gladness, following day by day
Their happy progress, fancying the rapture
Of dreams come true, along the hallowed way.

For they, by mount and vale and village lowly,
By Jordan's river and Gennesaret's wave,
Will trace the blessed footprints of the Holy,
And live on earth with Him who came to save.

Theirs be the portion of the twelve who clustered
Around the Master, wheresoe'er He went;
Theirs the sweet knowledge of His presence, lustred
By heaven's own light and fulness of content.

Dear friends, our hearts, your company still keeping,
Will overflow in loving prayers for you!
God give you ease and safety, waking, sleeping,
And bring you home—the pilgrim journey through.





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