Lotus Eating

Come up once more before mine eyes, Sweet halcyon days, warm summer sea, Faint orange of the morning skies And dark-lined shores upon the lee! Touched with the sunrise, sea and sky All still on Memory's canvas lie: The scattered isles with India ink Dot the wide back-ground's gold and pink: Unstirring in the Sunday calm, Their profile cedars, sharply drawn, Bold black against the flushing dawn, Take shape like clumps of tropic palm. Night shadows still the distance dim (Ultra-marine) where ocean's brim Upholdeth the horizon-rim.

Once more in thought we seem to creep By lonely reefs where sea-birds scream, Ulysses-like, along the deep Borne onward in the ocean-stream. The sea-floor spreadeth glassy still; No breath the idle sail doth fill; Our oar-blades smite the heavy seas; Under the world the morning breeze Treads with the sun the unknown ways. Thus steer we o'er the solemn main Eating the Lotus-fruit again, Dreaming that time forever stays, Singing "Where, Absence, is thy sting?" Listening to hear our echoes ring Through the far rocks where Sirens sing.