The opiate isles upon time's sea br In the dream-dark br Rise with their harbours silently br Before each day-abandoned bark, br And the worn mariner anchors there br Till thought, new-waked in the dewy air, br Sings like a lark. br The silent isles with their dream-shores br On the waves float, br Whereto the faint-eyed mariner oars br Within the dusk his eerie boat; br All care put by, like one who knows br No tide there turns and no wind blows, br Near or remote! br From day to day upon time's main br We sail on so, br Sure every night some port to gain br In the dream-dark where no winds blow; br Until we too this sea have cross'd br E'en like the galleons that were tost br Here long ago. br Some seem each day to sail so far, br They reach that shore br So very soon where all things are br As they will be for evermore; br Some for so many a night and day br Have to drift on their lonely way br Ere all is o'er. br But all sails touch the land at last: br The slowest come br As in a mist out of the past — br The last dream-isle fades on the foam, br The last stars rise, the last stars set, br And there is but the last day yet br 'Tween them and home.