THE CARIB SEA
Sight to see you, ear to hear you,
Voice to sing you, if no more.
And in thought I yet behold you
Nearing the enchanted zone,—
(With delight of life the stronger
As we sailed, each blue league longer,
Toward the shore of which I told you,
And the stars myself had known),—
Wondering at the hue beneath you
Of the restless shining waves,
Asking of the palm and coral,—
Of the white cascades—the floral
Ridges waiting long to wreathe you
With the blooms our Norseland craves.
Winds enow since then have kissed you,
On their way to bless or blight;
Little may these songs recover
Of that dream-life swiftly over,—
Nay, but Love, a moment list you,
Since none else can set them right.
160
