An Invitation.

Come where the white waves dance along the shore     Of some lone isle, lost in the unknown seas;     Whose golden sands by mortal foot before     Were never printed, - where the fragrant breeze,     That never swept o'er land or flood that man     Could call his own, th' unearthly breeze shall fan     Our mingled tresses with its odorous sighs;     Where the eternal heaven's blue, sunny eyes     Did ne'er look down on human shapes of earth,     Or aught of mortal mould and death-doomed birth:     Come there with me; and when we are alone     In that enchanted desert, where the tone     Of earthly voice, or language, yet did ne'er     With its strange music startle the still air,     When clasped in thy upholding arms I stand,     Upon that bright world's coral-cradled strand,     When I can hide my face upon thy breast,     While thy heart answers mine together pressed,     Then fold me closer, bend thy head above me,     Listen - and I will tell thee how I love thee.