4
THE THREE SHIPS
The skies were aflame with the sunset glow,
The billows were all aflame below;
The billows were all aflame below;
The far horizon seemed the gate
To some mystic world's enchanted state;
To some mystic world's enchanted state;
And all the air was a luminous mist,
Crimson and amber and amethyst.
Crimson and amber and amethyst.
Then silently into that fiery sea—
Into the heart of the mystery—
Into the heart of the mystery—
Three ships went sailing, one by one,
The fairest visions under the sun.
The fairest visions under the sun.
Like the flame in the heart of a ruby set
Were the sails that flew from each mast of jet;
Were the sails that flew from each mast of jet;
While darkly against the burning sky
Streamer and pennant floated high.
Streamer and pennant floated high.
Steadily, silently, on they pressed
Into the glowing, reddening west;
Into the glowing, reddening west;
Until, on the far horizon's fold,
They slowly passed through its gate of gold.
They slowly passed through its gate of gold.
You think, perhaps, they were nothing more
Than schooners laden with common ore?
Than schooners laden with common ore?
Where Care clasped hands with grimy Toil,
And the decks were stained with earthly moil?
And the decks were stained with earthly moil?
Oh, beautiful ships, that sailed that night
Into the west from our yearning sight,
Into the west from our yearning sight,
Full well I know that the freight ye bore
Was laden not for an earthly shore!
Was laden not for an earthly shore!
