The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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“THEIR WHITE SAILS FILL THE PURPLE AND THE SOMBRE SEAS!”
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 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
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“THEIR WHITE SAILS FILL THE PURPLE AND THE SOMBRE SEAS!”
(Moncure Conway.)
I.
“The purple seas!” and through the misty mountains
Flutter the first advances of their feet;
And through deep forests, and in openings sweet,
By many flower-spotted glades and fountains,
They press straight forward, stedfast, as is meet:
A youthful band with foreheads wrinkled, aged
With fervent thoughts with which they have engaged,
Yet having Youth's fair footsteps strong and fleet.
Flutter the first advances of their feet;
And through deep forests, and in openings sweet,
By many flower-spotted glades and fountains,
They press straight forward, stedfast, as is meet:
A youthful band with foreheads wrinkled, aged
With fervent thoughts with which they have engaged,
Yet having Youth's fair footsteps strong and fleet.
I saw them, and my soul was very glad,
And burst into a rosy shout of song,
And scattered scented petals on the throng,
Ready to kiss the lips that seeméd sad,
Ready to weep for sorrows each had had,
And smile for crowns that each should wear ere long!
And burst into a rosy shout of song,
And scattered scented petals on the throng,
Ready to kiss the lips that seeméd sad,
Ready to weep for sorrows each had had,
And smile for crowns that each should wear ere long!
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II.
They are leaving fast the ancient standing-places,
The altars and the churches and the creeds,
And for each drop from every heart that bleeds
Blossom a hundred flowers, a hundred graces!
I watched them,—and a light was on their faces
Even such that star nor sunshine any needs:
A light that leads the way to burning deeds
And sets a hero running stalwart races.
The altars and the churches and the creeds,
And for each drop from every heart that bleeds
Blossom a hundred flowers, a hundred graces!
I watched them,—and a light was on their faces
Even such that star nor sunshine any needs:
A light that leads the way to burning deeds
And sets a hero running stalwart races.
These are the founders of the future; they
Have set against their losses a great gain,
Nor caréd any longer to remain
Bowing beneath a dome of carven clay,
And therefore must they emigrate to day
Through penury and solitude and pain.
Have set against their losses a great gain,
Nor caréd any longer to remain
Bowing beneath a dome of carven clay,
And therefore must they emigrate to day
Through penury and solitude and pain.
1871.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |