Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy By the Rev. H. D. Rawnsley |
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ON THE INSCRIPTION OVER THE DOORWAY OF THE OLD SCHLOSS AT THE BAUMGARTEN, THUN
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 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
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ON THE INSCRIPTION OVER THE DOORWAY OF THE OLD SCHLOSS AT THE BAUMGARTEN, THUN
‘INVENI PORTUM, SPES ET FORTUNA VALETE’
‘Harbour at last! hope, fortune, fare ye well!’
For I am tired of wandering, and the star
By which I steered in quest of hope afar
Has set, the waves at morn with ceaseless swell
Sank not, but rose to storm as night-time fell,
And beating landwards, where the quicksands are,
I for the pilot call across the bar,
And steer towards the haven-citadel.
For I am tired of wandering, and the star
By which I steered in quest of hope afar
Has set, the waves at morn with ceaseless swell
Sank not, but rose to storm as night-time fell,
And beating landwards, where the quicksands are,
I for the pilot call across the bar,
And steer towards the haven-citadel.
Yet neither song of bird in Maytide bower,
Nor blossoming orchard, nor rich lilac scent,
Nor gold laburnum dropping at the door,
Can soothe my soul with such prevailing power
As finding here what poorest of the poor
May feel—the joy of heaven and earth—Content.
Nor blossoming orchard, nor rich lilac scent,
Nor gold laburnum dropping at the door,
Can soothe my soul with such prevailing power
As finding here what poorest of the poor
May feel—the joy of heaven and earth—Content.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |