Oriental Scenes, Dramatic Sketches and Tales/The Voyage of Love
THE VOYAGE OF LOVE.
Oh haste on board!—My gallant boat,
While skies are bright and sun-beams smile,
Shall gaily o'er the waters float,
And steer for Pleasure's fairy isle.
'Tis summer's prime; each bud and flower
Glows upon hill, and dale, and grove—
Oh! seize the blest auspicious hour
And haste on board—and sail with Love!
Fair Hope my silken sail has wrought
To waft us o'er the silvery tides,
Young Enterprize the rudder brought,
Which his adventurous spirit guides.
Upon the deck I'll rear a light
And trelliced bower of myrtle wove—
The winds are hushed, the skies are bright,
Oh! haste on board, and sail with Love!
The maiden heard the gentle song,
She saw the gaily painted bark;
The path by Prudence urged was long,
And led through valleys drear and dark.
The silken sails, the pennons gay
Have lured her truant steps to rove,
She leaves the rough and rugged way
To sail o'er tranquil seas with Love.
Swiftly towards Pleasure's flowery realm
Love's fleet and buoyant vessel flies,
And still through sunny straits, the helm
Is boldly steered by Enterprize.
The fairy prow leaps dancing o'er
The rippling wave by cliff and cove—
Who would not quit the lonely shore
To sail to Pleasure's Isle with Love?
But soon tempestuous winds arise,
Loud roars the surge, descends the rain,
And vainly does young Enterprize
His rudder urge to land again.
He swims to shore—on pinions gay,
While with the weltering wave he strove,
His wily patron speeds away,
But she was wrecked who sailed with Love.