The Enchanted Island By Danby

AND there the island lay, the waves around

Had never known a storm; for the north wind

Was charm'd from coming, and the only airs

That blew brought sunshine on their azure wings,

Or tones of music from the sparry caves,

Where the sea-maids make lutes of the pink conch.

These were sea breezes,--those that swept the land

Brought other gifts,--sighs from blue violets,

Or from June's sweet Sultana, the bright rose,

Stole odours. On the silver mirror's face

Was but a single ripple that was made

By a flamingo's beak, whose scarlet wings

Shone like a meteor on the stream: around,

Upon the golden sands, were coral plants,

And shells of many colours, and sea weeds,

Whose foliage caught and chain'd the Nautilus,

Where lay they as at anchor. On each side

Were grottoes, like fair porticoes with steps

Of the green marble; and a lovely light,

Like the far radiance of a thousand lamps,

Half-shine, half-shadow, or the glorious track

Of a departing star but faintly seen

In the dim distance, through those caverns shone,

And play'd o'er the tall trees which seem'd to hide

Gardens, where hyacinths rang their soft bells

To call the bees from the anemone,

Jealous of their bright rivals' golden wealth.

--Amid those arches floated starry shapes,

Just indistinct enough to make the eye

Dream of surpassing beauty; but in front,

Borne on a car of pearl, and drawn by swans,

There lay a lovely figure,--she was queen

Of the Enchanted Island, which was raised

From ocean's bosom but to pleasure her:

And spirits, from the stars, and from the sea,

The beautiful mortal had them for her slaves.

She was the daughter of a king, and loved

By a young Ocean Spirit from her birth,--

He hover'd o'er her in her infancy,

And bade the rose grow near her, that her cheek

Might catch its colour,--lighted up her dreams

With fairy wonders, and made harmony

The element in which she moved; at last,

When that she turn'd away from earthly love,

Enamour'd of her visions, he became

Visible with his radiant wings, and bore

His bride to the fair island.