Thou--as a gallant bark, from Albion's[339-8] coast, (The storms all weathered and the ocean crossed,) Shoots into port at some well-havened isle, Where spices breathe and brighter seasons smile; There sits quiescent on the floods, that show Her beauteous form reflected clear below, While airs impregnated with incense play Around her, fanning light her streamers gay,-- So thou, with sails how swift! hast reached the shore "Where tempests never beat nor billows roar": And thy loved consort[339-9] on the dangerous tide Of life long since has anchored by thy side. But me,[339-10] scarce hoping to attain the rest, Always from port withheld, always distressed,-- Me[339-10] howling blasts drive devious, tempest-tossed, Sails ripped, seams opening wide, and compass lost;[339-11] And day by day some current's thwarting force Sets me more distant from a prosperous course. Yet O, the thought that thou art safe, and he!--[339-12] That thought is joy, arrive what may to me. My boast is not that I deduce my birth From loins enthroned,[339-13] and rulers of the earth; But higher far my proud pretensions rise,-- The son of parents passed into the skies. And now, farewell!--Time, unrevoked,[340-14] has run His wonted course; yet what I wished is done. By contemplation's help, not sought in vain, I seem to have lived my childhood o'er again,-- To have renewed the joys that once were mine, Without the sin of violating thine; And, while the wings of fancy still are free, And I can view this mimic show of thee, Time has but half succeeded in his theft,-- Thyself removed, thy power to soothe me left.
[335-1] As _though_ the request were her own.
[335-2] The Elysian Fields were the blessed lands of beauty and joy to which the Greeks hoped to go at their death.
[337-3] The _pastoral house_ means the rectory, the home of the clergyman.
[338-5] _Numbers_ is used for _poetic measures; poetry_.
[338-6] _Tissued_ is a poetic word for _variegated_.
[338-7] He pricked into paper with a pin the outlines of the variegated forms of violets, pinks and jessamine that decorated his mother's dress.
[339-8] _England's._ The old name Albion, which means _white_, is still used in poetry. Just how the name originated no one knows. Perhaps it alluded to the white chalk cliffs of England which the Gauls could see.