The White Island
R. Herrick

In this world, (the Isle of Dreams),

While we sit by sorrow's streams,

Tears and terrors are our themes

Reciting:

But when once from hence we fly,

More and more approaching nigh

Unto young Eternity

Uniting:

In that whiter Island, where

Things are evermore sincere;

Candour [92] here, and lustre there

Delighting:

There no monstrous fancies shall

Out of Hell an horror call,

To create (or cause at all)

Affrighting.

There in calm and cooling sleep

We our eyes shall never steep;

But eternal watch shall keep,

Attending [93]

Pleasures, such as shall pursue

Me immortalized, and you;

And fresh joys, as never too

Have ending.


Footnotes:

[92] candour, whiteness

[93] attending, waiting for

lxxxix a psalm for sunday
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