University of Virginia Library


224

XXVIII.
NOW

Because thou hast been “in the open,” now
Shalt thou find all thine “harbour” safe and sweet.
Enter therein, O love, with fearless feet:
Lay up therein thy vessel's foam-swept prow!
Peace and reward the approving gods allow;
Soft shall thy rest be after burning heat
Of summer,—glad the flowers in thy retreat.
See! this fair rose I bind about thy brow.
O lady,—“vessel” of mine now coming “home,”
Bringing me richest treasures from the East,
Thy thin stem cutting the receding foam,—
Love waits, and spreads us a thrice-glorious feast.
Thou art bright with sunsets over loneliest sea,
And with those sighing sunsets crownest me.