Part 2 — LOVE AT SEA
Reading edition
Imitated From Theophile Gautier
We are in love's land to-day; Where shall we go? Love, shall we start or stay, Or sail or row? There's many a wind and way, And never a May but May; We are in love's hand to-day; Where shall we go?
Our land-wind is the breath Of sorrows kissed to death And joys that were; Our ballast is a rose; Our way lies where God knows And love knows where. We are in love's hand to-day—
Our seamen are fledged Loves, Our masts are bills of doves, Our decks fine gold; Our ropes are dead maids' hair, Our stores are love-shafts fair And manifold. We are in love's land to-day—
Where shall we land you, sweet? On fields of strange men's feet, Or fields near home? Or where the fire-flowers blow, Or where the flowers of snow Or flowers of foam? We are in love's hand to-day—
Land me, she says, where love Shows but one shaft, one dove, One heart, one hand,— A shore like that, my dear, Lies where no man will steer, No maiden land.
Algernon Charles Swinburne [1837-1909]