V

I seek to call you near me in the dark

And silent prison of my solitude,

Where Memory with visions heaven-hued

Now mocks the night, and Hope with timid spark

Kindles vain torches. Lonely in my ark

Of Faith, on battling waves I float, pursued

By all those doubting monsters that delude

Pain-sunken breasts, and bid the soul embark

For perilous despair. I call you near

That I may cheat the helmsman of his fear:

And yet I know you far, I know you lost

To me, on this same ocean tempest-tossed

Alone — O you who should my pilot be!

You, whom my love could steer through any sea....