Illusions

Go stand at night upon an ocean craft, And watch the folds of its imperial train Catching in fleecy foam a thousand glows— A miracle of fire unquenched by sea. There in bewildering turbulence of change Whirls the whole firmament, till as you gaze, All else unseen, it is as heaven itself Had lost its poise, and each unanchored star In phantom haste flees to the horizon line. What dupes we are of the deceiving eye! How many a light men wonderingly acclaim Is but the phosphor of the path Life makes With its own motion, while above, forgot, Sweep on serene the old unenvious stars!

Collection: 
English
Robert Underwood Johnson
Sub Title: 
Poems of Sentiment: II. Life

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