Alfred Noyes

Song from Drake:  The Moon Is Up

The moon is up: the stars are bright:

The wind is fresh and free!

We're out to seek for gold to-night

Across the silver sea!

The world was growing grey and old;

Break out the sails again!

We're out to seek a Realm of Gold

Beyond the Spanish Main.


We're sick of all the cringing knees,

The courtly smiles and lies!

God, let Thy singing Channel breeze

Lighten our hearts and eyes!

Let love no more be bought and sold

For earthly loss or gain.

We're out to seek an Age of Gold

Beyond the Spanish Main.


Beyond the light of far Cathay,

Beyond all mortal dreams,

Beyond the reach of night and day

Our Eldorado gleams,

Revealing—as the skies unfold—

A star without a stain,

The Glory of the Gates of Gold

Beyond the Spanish Main.