Southward Ho

Let us go forth to southern kingdoms far
Beyond the storm-vexed harbors that we know;
Sink the cold constellations star by star
Until the last familiar lights shall glow
Only in dreams — while we go hand in hand
Where romance falls like firelight on dark faces
Encamped at evening in a flowered land
Under the towered hold of vanished races.

Old troubles caught in that reflected flame
Would tangle with young moonbeams in your hair
And lose themselves amid your vine-wreathed curls
Like shadows that crisp daffodils ensnare.
And we should tell fond wishes down dark wells
Where starlight trembles to the temple bells,
And listen to cool echoes lisp your name
Like Krishna whispering after village girls.