AEGINASSOS

The isles of Greece! The isles of Greece! Where burning Sappho loved and sung,— Where grew the arts of war and peace,— Where Delos rose and Phœbus sprung! Eternal summer gilds them yet But all, except their sun, is set. Byron.

As one that for a weary space has lain Lull'd by the song of Circe and her wine In gardens near the pale of Proserpine, Where the Ægean isle forgets the main, And only the low lutes of love complain, And only shadows of wan lovers pine,— As such an one were glad to know the brine Salt on his lips, and the large air again,— So gladly from the songs of modern speech Men turn, and see the stars, and feel the free Shrill wind beyond the close of heavy flowers, And through the music of the languid hours They hear, like Ocean on a western beach, The surge and thunder of the Odyssey. Andrew Lang.

There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail; There gloom the dark broad seas. My mariners, Souls that have toiled, and wrought, and thought with me— That ever with a frolic welcome took The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old; Old age hath yet his honor and his toil; Death closes all; but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be done, Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods. The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks; The long day wanes; the slow moon climbs: the deep Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the paths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down; It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. Alfred Tennyson.