THE SEA SPIRIT

Ah me! I shall not waken soon

From dreams of such divinity!

A spirit singing in the moon

To me.

White sea-spray driven of the storm

Were not so wildly white as she!

She beckoned with a foam-white arm

To me.

With eyes dark green, and golden-green

Loose locks that sparkled drippingly,

Out of the green wave she did lean

To me.

And sang; till Earth and Heaven were

A far, forgotten memory;

For more than Heaven seemed hid in her

To me:—

Sleep, sweeter than love's face or home;

Love, more than immortality;

And music of the dreamy foam

For me.

Pass over her with all thy ships

With all thy stormy tides, O sea!

The memory of immortal lips

For me!