The Treasury Of Sacred Song

By Francis Turner Palgrave

XC 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.