The Encantadas

The Isles at Large.

—“That may not be, said then the ferryman,

Least we unweeting hap to be fordonne;

For those same islands seeming now and than,

Are not firme land, nor any certein wonne,

But stragling plots which to and fro do ronne

In the wide waters; therefore are they hight

The Wandering Islands; therefore do them shonne;

For they have oft drawne many a wandring wight

Into most deadly daunger and distressed plight;

For whosoever once hath fastened

His foot thereon may never it secure

But wandreth evermore uncertein and unsure.”

“Darke, dolefull, dreary, like a greedy grave,

That still for carrion carcasses doth crave;

On top whereof ay dwelt the ghastly owl,

Shrieking his balefull note, which ever drave

Far from that haunt all other cheerful fowl,

And all about it wandring ghosts did wayle and howl.”