 | Judas Iscariot |  |
54
GENIUS.
Far out at sea—the sun was high,
While veered the wind and flapped the sail,—
We saw a snow-white butterfly
Dancing before the fitful gale,
Far out at sea.
While veered the wind and flapped the sail,—
We saw a snow-white butterfly
Dancing before the fitful gale,
Far out at sea.
The little stranger, who had lost
His way, of danger nothing knew;
Settled awhile upon the mast,
Then flutter'd o'er the waters blue;
Far out at sea.
His way, of danger nothing knew;
Settled awhile upon the mast,
Then flutter'd o'er the waters blue;
Far out at sea.
Above there gleam'd the boundless sky;
Beneath, the boundless ocean sheen;
Between them danced the butterfly,
The spirit-life in this vast scene;
Far out at sea.
Beneath, the boundless ocean sheen;
Between them danced the butterfly,
The spirit-life in this vast scene;
Far out at sea.
Away he sped with shimmering glee!
Dim, indistinct—now seen—now gone.
Night comes, with wind and rain,—and he
No more will dance before the Morn—
Far out at sea.
Dim, indistinct—now seen—now gone.
Night comes, with wind and rain,—and he
No more will dance before the Morn—
Far out at sea.
He dies unlike his mates, I ween;
Perhaps not sooner, nor worse cross'd;
And he hath felt, and known, and seen,
A larger life and hope,—though lost,
Far out at sea!
Perhaps not sooner, nor worse cross'd;
And he hath felt, and known, and seen,
A larger life and hope,—though lost,
Far out at sea!
Gulf of Florida, 1830
| Judas Iscariot | |