SEA DREAMS.

Oh, to see in the night in a May moon's light

A nymph from siren caves,

With a crown of pearl, sea-gems in each curl

Dance down white, star-stained waves!

Oh, to list in the gloam by the pearly foam

Of a sad, far-sounding shore

The strain of the shell of an ocean belle

From caves where the waters roar!

With a hollow shell drift up in the moon

To sigh in my ears this ocean tune:—

“Wilt follow, wilt follow to caverns hollow,

That echo the tumbling spry?

Wilt follow thy queen to islands green,

Vague islands of witchery?

O follow, follow to grottoes hollow,

And isles in a purple sea,

Where rich roses twine and the lush woodbine

Weaves a musky canopy!”

Oh, to float in the gloam on the bubbly foam

With her lily face above!

Oh, to lie in a barque and a wild song hark,

And a billow-nymph to love!

I'd lie at her feet and my heart should beat

To the music of her sighs;

But the stars in her face my passion should trace,

Unseen all the stars of the skies.

Away, away with the witch of spray

To her Aidenn islands far;

And the blue above, drunk-mad with love,

Dance down each singing star.

Leave, leave to the heaven its morning star

In a cloud of bolted snow,

To laugh at the world and herald far

Our wedlock and joy below.