Sketch First
The Piazza Tales — The Encantadas
"—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 ronneIn the wide waters; therefore are they hightThe Wandering Islands; therefore do them shonne;For they have oft drawne many a wandring wightInto most deadly daunger and distressed plight;For whosoever once hath fastenedHis foot thereon may never it secureBut wandreth evermore uncertain 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 baleful note, which ever draveFar from that haunt all other cheerful fowl,And all about it wandring ghosts did wayle and howl."