| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Burnt Ships | | By Helen Maria (Fiske) (Hunt) Jackson (1830–1885) |
| | | O LOVE, sweet Love, who came with rosy sail | |
| And foaming prow across the misty sea! | |
| O Love, brave Love, whose faith was full and free | |
| That lands of sun and gold, which could not fail, | |
| Lay in the west, that bloom no wintry gale | 5 |
| Could blight, and eyes whose love thine own should be, | |
| Called thee, with steadfast voice of prophecy, | |
To shores unknown!
O Love, poor Love, avail | |
| Thee nothing now thy faiths, thy braveries; | |
| There is no sun, no bloom; a cold wind strips | 10 |
| The bitter foam from off the wave where dips | |
| No more thy prow; the eyes are hostile eyes; | |
| The gold is hidden; vain thy tears and cries; | |
| O Love, poor Love, why didst thou burn thy ships? | | | | |
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