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The White Island: Or, Place of the Blest

by Robert Herrick, 1647

In this world, the isle of dreams,
While we sit by sorrow’s streams,
Tears and terrors are our themes
      Reciting:

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

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

There no monstrous fancies shall
Out of hell an horror 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 immortalised, and you;
And fresh joys, as never to
      Have ending.

Published in Noble Numbers
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