LORD ARNALDOS

The strangest of adventures,

That happen by the sea,

Befell to Lord Arnaldos

On the Evening of St. John;

For he was out a hunting -

A huntsman bold was he! -

When he beheld a little ship

And close to land was she.

Her cords were all of silver,

Her sails of cramasy;

And he who sailed the little ship

Was singing at the helm;

The waves stood still to hear him,

The wind was soft and low;

The fish who dwell in darkness

Ascended through the sea,

And all the birds in heaven

Flew down to his mast-tree.

Then spake the Lord Arnaldos,

( Well shall you hear his words! )

“Tell me for God's sake, sailor,

What song may that song be?”

The sailor spake in answer,

And answer thus made he; -

“I only tell my song to those

Who sail away with me.”