PREFATORY SONNET TO THE ' NINETEENTH CENTURY.'
THOSE that of late had flitted far and fast
To touch all shores, now leaving to the skill
Of others their old craft seaworthy still,
Have chartered this ; where, mindful of the past,
Our true co-mates regather round the mast ;
Of diverse tongue, but with a common will
Here in this roaring moon of daffodil
And crocus, to put forth and brave the blast ;
For some, descending from the sacred peak
Of hoar high-templed Faith, have leagued again
Their lot with ours to rove the world about ;
And some are wilder comrades, sworn to seek
If any golden harbour be for men
In seas of Death and sunless gulfs of Doubt.
THOSE that of late had flitted far and fast
To touch all shores, now leaving to the skill
Of others their old craft seaworthy still,
Have chartered this ; where, mindful of the past,
Our true co-mates regather round the mast ;
Of diverse tongue, but with a common will
Here in this roaring moon of daffodil
And crocus, to put forth and brave the blast ;
For some, descending from the sacred peak
Of hoar high-templed Faith, have leagued again
Their lot with ours to rove the world about ;
And some are wilder comrades, sworn to seek
If any golden harbour be for men
In seas of Death and sunless gulfs of Doubt.