The Argonauts

ACTUS QUARTUS 15 In Sun or planet, moon or star? What nymphs as sweet as ours are dwell By foreign grove and alien well? With every watchman’s cheery cry, “Land ho!” through all the journeying years Our ever-hoping hearts reply, “A land of bliss at last appears.” But what land laps a foreign foam So sweet as is the hero’s home? At every port the novel sights Charm for an hour—delusive bliss. On every shore the false delights Of maidens ply the barbarous kiss. But where did hero think to stay Lulled in their love beyond a day? No shoreland whistles to the wind So musically as Thrace: no town So gladdens the toil-weary mind As brave Athenae: no renown Stands so divine in war and peace As the illustrious name of Greece. This island of the subtle song Shall vanish as the shaken spray Tossed by the billow far and strong On marble coasts: we will not stay!