Part 14

But Aflatun turned round on him Laughing a bitter laugh and grim. "Alas," he said, "O Aristu, A white weak thin old fool are you.

"And does yon silver Ship appear As she had journeyed twenty year? And has that silver Captain's face A mortal or Immortal grace?

"Theirs is the land (as well I know) Where live the Shapes of Things Below: Theirs is the country where they keep The Images men see in Sleep.

"Theirs is the Land beyond the Door, And theirs the old ideal shore. They steer our ship: behold our crew Ideal, and our Captain too.

"And lo! beside that mainmast tree Two tall and shining forms I see, And they are what we ought to be, Yet we are they, and they are we."

He spake, and some young Zephyr stirred The two ships touched: no sound was heard; The Black Ship crumbled into air; Only the Phantom Ship was there.

And a great cry rang round the sky Of glorious singers sweeping by, And calm and fair on waves that shone The Silver Ship sailed on and on.