Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/221

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The maiden heard the gentle song,
    She saw the gaily painted bark;
The path by Prudence urged was long,
    And led through valleys drear and dark.
The silken sails, the pennons gay
    Have lured her truant steps to rove,
She leaves the rough and rugged way
    To sail o'er tranquil seas with Love.

Swiftly towards Pleasure's flowery realm
    Love's fleet and buoyant vessel flies,
And still through sunny straits, the helm
    Is boldly steered by Enterprize.
The fairy prow leaps dancing o'er
    The rippling wave by cliff and cove—
Who would not quit the lonely shore
    To sail to Pleasure's Isle with Love?