The Poetry Corner

Love at Sea

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Imitated from Thophile Gautier We are in loves land to-day; Where shall we go? Love, shall we start or stay, Or sail or row? Theres many a wind and way, And never a May but May; We are in loves hand to-day; Where shall we go? Our landwind is the breath Of sorrows kissed to death And joys that were; Our ballast is a rose; Our way lies where God knows And love knows where. We are in loves hand to-day Our seamen are fledged Loves, Our masts are bills of doves, Our decks fine gold; Our ropes are dead maids hair, Our stores are love-shafts fair And manifold. We are in loves land to-day Where shall we land you, sweet? On fields of strange mens feet, Or fields near home? Or where the fire-flowers blow, Or where the flowers of snow Or flowers of foam? We are in loves hand to-day Land me, she says, where love Shows but one shaft, one dove, One heart, one hand. A shore like that, my dear, Lies where no man will steer, No maiden land.