Canto XVI

The boat on which he had embarked its sails
To the propitious wind set which prevails.
The boat rolls fast enough, but faster still
The flights of thought are which his mind then fill.
These are the thoughts which now his brain control:
"Ash, dear Helen, sweet angel of my soul,
Hast a presentiment, does thou expect
That homeward 's bound thy rich bridegroom-elect?

''Yes, I am homewards bound, so that at last
We are made one. After our woeful past
A loving pair will be, our ills allayed.
And rich, not need our fellowbeings' aid.

My patron, true, he did not treat me well;
But no thoughts of revenge in my heart dwell,
To him is due my present happiness.
In fact, he some rewards deserves, I guess!

Such is the thought whieh his mind agitates
The while the boat its speed accelerates,
But Hungary was still quite far, for she
And France divided are by land and sea.

One eve, upon the dock he took a walk.
He heard the captain to the boatswain talk:
"Look at that setting sun, how red the sky.
We'll have a storm, those colors signify."

John heard the speech but did not seem to care.
A flock of storks he saw high in the air.
It was in autumn days, — they migrate. — and
These birds then surely come from his own land.

With gentlest lunging he looked at the birds.
As if they would good news bring him in words.
Good news from her. his sweet Helen, and then
Good news from home, he shall see soon again.