For My Purpose Holds To Sail Beyond The Sunset

The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks;

The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep

Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,

'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.

Push off, and sitting well in order smite

The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die.

It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,

And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.

Though much is taken, much abides; and though

We are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;

One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

---Alfred, Lord Tennyson (from "Ulysses")

view west from Darwin Plateau (top)

Shinumo Ampitheater from outside Serpentine Canyon (middle)

looking east from above Bright Angel Canyon (below)