Classic Poem

I lately lay a-dreaming,
I lay upon a steep;
'Twas near the ocean's strand,
I looked across the land,
And o'er the spacious deep.

Lo! near the beach beneath me
A vessel trim and strong;
Its pennon gay flew o'er it,
The skipper stood before it
As though the time seemed long.

Then from the distant mountains
There came a mirthful train;
They came, like angels shining—
Bright wreaths their brows entwining—
And drew towards the main.

To lead the train, sweet infants
In sportive throngs advanced;
Bright cups the rest were swinging,
To music's sound and singing
They deftly swayed and danced.

Then spake they to the skipper—
“Wilt gladly bear us hence?
Delights and Joys are we—
We seek from earth to flee—
Far, far to wander thence!”

He bade them climb his vessel,
That throng of gay Delights!
He spake—“Ye Pleasures gay,
Do none, yet lingering, stray
In vales, or on the heights?”

“We all are here”, they shouted,
“Haste! all thy sails employ!”
Fresh blew the favouring gale,
Far off beheld I sail
From earth each Bliss and Joy.