Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VI. Fancy. 1904. | | | | Poems of Sentiment: IV. Thought: Poetry: Books | | Genius | | Richard Henry Hengist Horne (1802–1884) |
| | | FAR out at sea—the sun was high, | |
| While veered the wind, and flapped the sail— | |
| We saw a snow-white butterfly | |
| Dancing before the fitful gale, | |
| Far out at sea! | 5 |
| |
| The little wanderer, who had lost | |
| His way, of danger nothing knew; | |
| Settled awhile upon the mast, | |
| Then fluttered o’er the waters blue, | |
| Far out at sea. | 10 |
| |
| Above, there gleamed the boundless sky; | |
| Beneath, the boundless ocean sheen; | |
| Between them danced the butterfly, | |
| The spirit-life of this vast scene, | |
| Far out at sea. | 15 |
| |
| The tiny soul then soared away, | |
| Seeking the clouds on fragile wings, | |
| Lured by the brighter, purer ray | |
| Which hope’s ecstatic morning brings, | |
| Far out at sea. | 20 |
| |
| Away he sped with shimmering glee! | |
| Scarce seen—now lost—yet onward borne! | |
| Night comes!—with wind and rain—and he | |
| No more will dance before the Morn, | |
| Far out at sea. | 25 |
| |
| He dies unlike his mates, I ween; | |
| Perhaps not sooner, or worse crossed; | |
| And he hath felt, thought, known, and seen | |
| A larger life and hope—though lost | |
| Far out at sea! | 30 | | | |
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