His Sailing from Julia

Listen to:

His Sailing from Julia (1:08)

by Robert Herrick

performed by Bob Gonzalez, rhapsode

When that day comes, whose evening says I'm gone

Unto that watery desolation,

Devoutly to thy closet-gods then pray

That my wing'd ship may meet no remora.

Those deities which circum-walk the seas,

And look upon our dreadful passages,

Will from all dangers re-deliver me

For one drink-offering poured out by thee.

Mercy and truth live with thee ! and forbear

(In my short absence) to unsluice a tear;

But yet for love's sake let thy lips do this,

Give my dead picture one engendering kiss:

Work that to life, and let me ever dwell

In thy remembrance, Julia. So farewell.