The First Lover

As o'er the vessel's side she leant,

She saw the swimmer in the sea

With eager eyes on her intent,

“Come down, come down and swim with me.”

So weary was she of her lot,

Tired of the ship's monotony,

She straightway all the world forgot

Save the young swimmer in the sea

So when the dusky, dying light

Left all the water dark and dim,

She softly, in the friendly night,

Slipped down the vessel's side to him.

Intent and brilliant, brightly dark,

She saw his burning, eager eyes,

And many a phosphorescent spark

About his shoulders fall and rise.

As through the hushed and Eastern night

They swam together, hand in hand,

Or lay and laughed in sheer delight

Full length upon the level sand.

“Ah, soft, delusive, purple night

Whose darkness knew no vexing moon!

Ah, cruel, needless, dawning light

That trembled in the sky too soon!”