The Wise Brothers

First Voice

So long adrift, so fast aground,
What foam and ruin have we found--
We, the Wise Brothers?
Could heaven and earth be framed amiss,
That we should land in fine like this--
We, and no others?

Second Voice

Convoyed by what accursèd thing
Made we this evil reckoning--
We, the Wise Brothers?
And if the failure be complete,
Why look we forward from defeat--
We, and what others?

Third Voice

Blown far from harbors once in sight,
May we not, going far, go right,--
We, the Wise Brothers?
Companioned by the whirling spheres,
Have we no more than what appears--
We, and all others?