Robert Herrick(1591–1674)

The White Island, or Place of the Blest

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;

Candor 0 here and luster therewhiteness, truthfulness

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 immortalized, and you;

And fresh joys, as never too

Have ending.