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1865–1914

He speaks, letting the boat drift.

Madison Julius Cawein

Here the shores are irised. Grasses Clump the water dark that glasses Broken wood and deepened distance. Far the musical persistence

Of a field-lark lingers low In the west where tulips blow. White before us flames one pointed Star; and Day hath Night anointed

King; from out her azure ewer Pouring starry fire, truer Than pure gold. Star-crowned he stands With the star-light in his hands.

Will the moon bleach through the ragged Tree-tops ere we reach yon jagged Rock, that rises gradually, Pharos of our homeward valley?—

All the west is smouldering red; Embers are the stars o'erhead. At my soul some Protean elf is; You're Simaetha; I am Delphis.

You are Sappho and your Phaon, I.— We love.— There lies a ray on All the Dark AEolian seas ‘ Round the violet Lesbian leas.

On we drift. I love you. Nearer Looms our island. Rosier, clearer, The Leucadian cliff we follow, Where the temple of Apollo

Shines — a pale and pillared fire.... Strike, oh, strike the Lydian lyre!— While in Hellas still we seem, Let us sing of that we dream.

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He speaks, letting the boat drift. · Madison Julius Cawein · Poetry Cove