Robert Herrick


His Sailing from Julia


When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone
Unto that watery desolation;
Devoutly to thy Closet-gods then pray,
That my wing'd ship may meet no Remora.
Those deities which circum-walk the seas,
And look upon our dreadful passages,
Will from all dangers re-deliver me,
For one drink-offering poured out by thee,
Mercy and Truth live with thee!  and forbear,
In my short absence, to unsluice a tear;
But yet for love's-sake, let thy lips do this,—
Give my dead picture one engendering kiss;
Work that to life, and let me ever dwell
In thy remembrance, Julia.  So farewell.






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