Classic Poem

11. Purification.
But thou stay deep in ocean,
Thou crazy dream,
Which with false bliss through many a night
Didst torture in old time my heart,
And like a sea-spectre now
Threaten'st me even in brilliant noontide,
Remain thou deep-sunken for evermore!
Yet more will I hurl to thee into the deep —
All my transgressions and sorrows,
And the cap and bells of my folly
Which so long round my head have jingled,
And hypocrisy's serpent skin,
Slimy and chill,
Which so long hath twisted about my spirit,
My wounded spirit,
Denier of God, denier of Angels,
My ill-starred soul.
Yo ho! Yo ho! The wind is here!
Up with our sails! They flutter and swell;
Over the waters, so smooth and deadly,
Speeds the good ship,
And the soul in her freedom rejoices.