Eleanor, 14-July 16 Sorrento, Capri

July 16

SORRENTO AND CAPRI

The luring tour prospectus wrote,
"From Naples comes a trip by boat,
Sorrento and the Grotto Blue"
How little, ah, alas, we knew,
Dear me!

Down to the blue Tyrrhenian Sea,
We came, all unsuspectingly.
Nor one among us paused to note,
How billows broke against the coast.
Dear me!

We soon began to pitch and toss,
Our breakfast was a total loss.
Five minutes after we set sail,
Three girls were leaning o'er the rail.
Dear me!

Some groaned in agony,
A few assumed a sickly saffron hue.
But one, unfeeling, hard of heart
Stood unperturbed and laughed apart.
Dear me!

For me, I merely wished to lie,
Pale face up-turned to azure sky.
And slowly sink beneath the wave,
That constituted Shelley's grave.
Dear me!

Some at Sorrento wisely left,
Then of these timid souls bereft,
We journeyed on to Capri's Isle,
Feeling sadder all the while.
Dear me!

Hark to what the boat men say,
That throng the waters of the bay,
"No grotto trip. Each second wave
Closes the entrance of the cave."
Dear me!

I cried, "I want a bed! A bed!
About my lunch let naught be said,
Or if I drink, pray let it be
A death-draught acting speedily."
Dear me!

When at Sorrento we at last,
Met those who left us hours past,
They told us all about the sport,
We might have had at this resort.
Dear me!

If you would sail to Capri's hill,
Just choose a day when all is still.
The sea as peaceful as the skies.,
Choose such a day, or otherwise —
Dear me!