The Pillars Of HerculesBy the angry Theban hurled From their long embrace asunder, Stood of old those pillars high, O'er their somber heads the sky, At their feet the surge's thunder. And the men who sailed that sea, Awed before its mystery, Saw beyond, as in a vision, Shapes of more than earthly kind, Heard upon the charmed wind Laughter from the realms elysian. Once I voyaged tired and late In world-regions ultimate, When before me rose that portal; But I saw beyond no light, Heard no voices through the night Of a revelry immortal. Only down the sea asleep Crept a wind and crisped the deep, Touched the sails and shook them slowly, And from out its bosom fell Land-born scents of asphodel, Lilies, and the mountain moly. ___Arthur Graves Canfield |