Invitation To The Voyage

My sister, my child     Imagine how sweet     To live there as lovers do!     To kiss as we choose     To love and to die     In that land resembling you!     The misty suns     Of shifting skies     To my spirit are as dear     As the evasions     Of your eyes     That shine behind their tears.     There, all is order and leisure,     Luxury, beauty, and pleasure.     The tables would glow     With the lustre of years     To ornament our room.     The rarest of blooms     Would mingle their scents     With amber's vague perfume.     The ceilings, rich     The mirrors, deep     The splendour of the East     All whisper there     To the silent soul     Her sweet familiar speech.     There, all is order and leisure,     Luxury, beauty, and pleasure.     And these canals     Bear ships at rest,     Although in a wandering mood;     To gratify     Your least desire     They have sailed around the world.     The setting suns     Enrobe the fields     The canals, the entire tow     With hyacinth, gold;     The world falls asleep     In a warmly glowing gown.     There, all is order and leisure,     Luxury, beauty, and pleasure.