LOVE AT SEA
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e are in love's land to-day;Where shall we go?Love, shall we start or stay,Or sail or row?There's many a wind and way,And never a May but May;We are in love's hand to-day;Where shall we go? Our landwind is the breathOf sorrows kissed to deathAnd joys that were;Our ballast is a rose;Our way lies where God knowsAnd love knows where.We are in love's 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 fairAnd manifold.We are in love's land to-day-- Where shall we land you, sweet?On fields of strange men's feet,Or fields near home?Or where the fire-flowers blow,Or where the flowers of snowOr flowers of foam?We are in love's hand to-day-- Land me, she says, where loveShows but one shaft, one dove,One heart, one hand.--A shore like that, my dear,Lies where no man will steer,No maiden land. _Imitated from Theophile Gautier._
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