Outre Mer

I see, as one in dreaming,     A broad, bright, quiet sea;     Beyond it lies a haven     The only home for me.     Some men grow strong with trouble,     But all my strength is past,     And tired and full of sorrow,     I long to sleep at last.     By force of chance and changes     Mans life is hard at best;     And, seeing rest is voiceless,     The dearest thing is rest.     Beyond the sea behold it,     The home I wish to seek     The refuge of the weary,     The solace of the weak!     Sweet angel fingers beckon,     Sweet angel voices ask     My soul to cross the waters;     And yet I dread the task.     God help the man whose trials     Are tares that he must reap;     He cannot face the future     His only hope is sleep.     Across the main a vision     Of sunset coasts and skies,     And widths of waters gleaming,     Enchant my human eyes.     I, who have sinned and suffered,     Have sought with tears have sought     To rule my life with goodness,     And shape it to my thought;     And yet there is no refuge     To shield me from distress,     Except the realm of slumber     And great forgetfulness.