“The Adventurer” Robert E. Howard

Dusk on the sea; the fading twilight shifts; 

The night wind bears the ocean's whisper dim— 

Wind, on your bosom many a phantom drifts— 

A silver star climbs up the blue world rim. 

Wind, make the green leaves dance above me here 

And idly swing my silken hammock—so; 

Now, on that glimmering molten silver mere 

Send the long ripples wavering to and fro. 

And let your moon-white tresses touch my face 

And let me know your slim-armed, cool embrace 

While to my dreamy soul you whisper low.

South Seas! I watch when dusky twilight comes 

Making vague gods of ancient, sea-set trees. 

The world path beckons—loud the mystic drums— 

Here at my hand the magic golden keys 

That fit the doors of Romance, Wonder, strange 

Dim gossamer adventures; seas and stars. 

Why, I have roamed the far Moon Mountain range 

When sunset minted gold in shimmering bars. 

All eager eyed I've sailed from ports of Spain 

And watched the flashing topaz of the Main 

When dawn was flinging witch fire on the spars. 

….. 

I am content in dreams to roam my fill 

The vagrant, drifting sport of wind and tide, 

Slave of the greater freedom, venture's thrill; 

Here every magic ship on which I ride. 

Gold, green, blue, red, a priceless treasure trove, 

More wealth than ever pirate dared to dream. 

My hammock swings—about the world I rove. 

The sunset's dusk, the dawning's glide and gleam, 

Moon-dappled leaves are murmuring in the wind 

Which whispers tales. Lo, Tyre is just behind, 

Through seas of dawn I sail, Romance abeam .

[from “The Adventurer”; to read the complete poem, see The Collected Poetry of Robert E. Howard , p. 269 and Robert E. Howard Selected Poems , p. 112]