The Ferry of Dreams.
by Caryl Battersby.
Volume 10, 1899, pg. 49
[Caryl James Battersby, 1858-1927, British poet, author of "The Song of the Golden Bough and Other Poems," and the lyrics to Edward German's song "Who'll Buy My Lavender."]
"Boatman, ere thou take the tide,
Tell me who are these that ride
With thee to the further side."
"All thy dreams beneath the sun,
Golden fancies never won,
Deeds of glory left undone."
"Boatman, let me come with thee,
For I may not parted be
From the dreams that dwelt with me."
"Thou shalt stay, but these must go,
Even as the birds that know,
Ere it come, the time of snow."
"Boatman, when the birds shall be
Here again from over-sea,
Will my dreams come back to me?"
"Nay, but some dark eventide
I will take thee by my side
To the land where they abide."
Proofread by LNL, Jun. 2020