THE FORTUNATE ISLES.
Joaquin Miller
ou sail and you seek for the Fortunate Isles, - The old Greek Isles of the yellow birds song?
- Then steer straight on through the watery miles,
- Straight_on, straight on and you can't go wrong.
- Nay not to the left, nay not to the right,
- But on, straight on, and the Isles are in sight,
- The Fortunate Isles where the yellow birds sing
- And life lies girt with a golden ring.
- These Fortunate Isles they are not so far,
- They lie within reach of the lowliest door;
- You can see them gleam by the twilight star;
- You can hear them sing by the moon's white shore
- Nay, never look back! Those leveled grave stones
- They were landing steps; they were steps unto thrones
- Of glory for souls that have sailed before,
- And have set white feet on the fortunate shore.
- And what are the names of the Fortunate Isles?
- Why, Duty and Love and a large content.
- Lo! these are the Isles of the watery miles,
- That God let down from the firmament.
- Lo! Duty, and Love, and a true man's trust;
- Your forehead to God though your feet in the dust;
- Lo! Duty, and Loye, and a sweet babe's smiles,
- And these, O friend, are the Fortunate Isles.