THE SEA-KING.

In green sea-caverns dim,

Deep down,

A monarch pale and slim,

Whose soul's a frown,

He ruleth cold and grim

In foamy crown:

In green sea-caverns dim,

Deep down.

He hears the Mermaid sing

So sad!

Far off like some curs'd thing,

That ne'er is glad,

A vague, wild murmuring,

That drives men mad:

He hears the Mermaid sing

So sad!

Strange monster bulks are there,

That yawn

Or roll huge eyes that glare

And then are gone;

Weird foliage passing fair

Where clings the spawn:

Strange monster bulks are there,

That yawn.

What cares he for wrecked hulls

These years!

Red gold the water dulls!

Grim, dead-men jeers

On jaws of a thousand skulls

Of mariners!

What cares he for wrecked hulls

These years!

Man's tears are loved of him,

Deep down;

Set in the foamy rim

Of his frail crown

To pearls the tear-drops dim

Freeze at his frown:

Man's tears are loved of him,

Deep down.

Here be the halls of Sleep

Full mute,

Chill, shadowy, and deep,

Where hangs no lute

To make the still heart leap

Of man or brute:

Here be the halls of Sleep

Full mute.