El Dorado.
A
cripple on the wayside grass,1
I watch the people come and go ;2
To many a fair abode they pass,3
Ladies and knights, a goodly show.4
But though my lips prefer no sound,5
No less from all men I inquire :6
‘ Oh, say, I pray you, have you found7
The country of your heart’s desire ? ’8
Some pass with pity for my lot,9
Some pass, nor heed, and others fling10
A glance of scorn that wounds me not,11
Who in my heart am murmuring :12
‘ Ah, could you buy, or could I sell,13
How gold and gem, and hall and squire,14
You’d gladly give, like me to dwell15
In the country of the heart’s desire !
’16
You travellers in lands afar,17
With that world-hunger in your eyes,18
On every sea your galleys are,19
Your glances dare the darkest skies ;20
Yet for some land unseen, unguessed,21
Your eager spirits faint and tire ;22
I know the country of your quest—23
The country of the heart’s desire.24
A sudden terror veils you round,25
You lovers, even as you greet ;26
So close, so dear, your lives are bound,27
Your spirits have no room to meet.28
Have peace ! There is a deeper faith,29
And there is a diviner fire,30
A love more strong than time or death,31
In the country of the heart’s desire.32
And friends pass by with loyal mien,33
They are together—lonely yet !34
A subtle barrier between,35
A longing, and a dim regret.36
But they are wholly satisfied,37
And they have done with doubt and ire,38
With grief and parting, who abide39
In the country of the heart’s desire.40
My country is a dream, you say ?41
Nay, yours are dreams, and they shall cease,42
And yours are visions, day by day43
Wherein you strive to find your peace !44
But fair, and fadeless, and supreme,45
The home to which all souls aspire,46
The only land that is no dream—47
The country of the heart’s desire.48