The works of Mrs. Hemans With a memoir of her life, by her sister. In seven volumes |
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 | The works of Mrs. Hemans |  |
THE GREEN ISLES OF OCEAN.
Where are they, those green fairy islands, reposing
In sunlight and beauty, on ocean's calm breast?
What spirit, the things which are hidden disclosing,
Shall point the bright way to their dwellings of rest?
Oh! lovely they rose on the dreams of past ages,
The mighty have sought them, undaunted in faith;
But the land hath been sad for her warriors and sages,
For the guide to those realms of the blessed, is death.
In sunlight and beauty, on ocean's calm breast?
What spirit, the things which are hidden disclosing,
Shall point the bright way to their dwellings of rest?
Oh! lovely they rose on the dreams of past ages,
The mighty have sought them, undaunted in faith;
But the land hath been sad for her warriors and sages,
For the guide to those realms of the blessed, is death.
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Where are they, the high-minded children of glory
Who steer'd for those distant green spots on the wave?
To the winds of the ocean they left their wild story,
In the fields of their country they found not a grave.
Perchance they repose where the Summer-breeze gathers,
From the flowers of each vale, immortality's breath;
But their steps shall be ne'er on the hills of their fathers—
For the guide to those realms of the blessed, is death.
Who steer'd for those distant green spots on the wave?
To the winds of the ocean they left their wild story,
In the fields of their country they found not a grave.
Perchance they repose where the Summer-breeze gathers,
From the flowers of each vale, immortality's breath;
But their steps shall be ne'er on the hills of their fathers—
For the guide to those realms of the blessed, is death.
| The works of Mrs. Hemans | |