As ships, becalm'd at eve, that lay <br />With canvas drooping, side by side, <br />Two towers of sail at dawn of day <br />Are scarce long leagues apart descried; <br /> <br />When fell the night, upsprung the breeze, <br />And all the darkling hours they plied, <br />Nor dreamt but each the self-same seas <br />By each was cleaving, side by side: <br /> <br />E'en so--but why the tale reveal <br />Of those whom, year by year unchang'd, <br />Brief absence join'd anew, to feel, <br />Astounded, soul from soul estrang'd? <br /> <br />At dead of night their sails were fill'd, <br />And onward each rejoicing steer'd-- <br />Ah, neither blame, for neither will'd, <br />Or wist, what first with dawn appear'd! <br /> <br />To veer, how vain! On, onward strain, <br />Brave barks! In light, in darkness too, <br />Through winds and tides one compass guides-- <br />To that, and your own selves, be true. <br /> <br />But O blithe breeze! and O great seas, <br />Though ne'er, that earliest parting past, <br />On your wide plain they join again, <br />Together lead them home at last. <br /> <br />One port, methought, alike they sought, <br />One purpose hold where'er they fare,-- <br />O bounding breeze, O rushing seas! <br />At last, at last, unite them there!<br /><br />Arthur Hugh Clough<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/qua-cursum-ventus/
