Ordained Servant Online

The White Island, or, Place of the Blest

Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

In this world (the Isle of Dreams)
While we sit by sorrow's streams,
Tears and terrors are our theames,
                                    Reciting:

But when once from hence we flie,
More and more approaching nigh
Unto young Eternitie,
                                    Uniting:

In that whiter Island, where
Things are evermore sincere;
Candor here, and lustre there,
                                    Delighting:

There no monstrous fancies shall
Out of hell an horrour call,
To create (or cause at all)
                                    Affrighting.

There in calm and cooling sleep
We our eyes shall never steep;
But eternal watch shall keep,
                                    Attending

Pleasures such as shall pursue
Me immortaliz'd, and you;
And fresh joyes, as never too
                                    Have ending.

Ordained Servant Online, April 2011.