The Sea's Withholding

THE ladye's bower faced the sea,

Its casements framed a sea-born day.

She saw the fishers sail away,

And, far and high,

The gulls sweep by

Within the hollow of the sky!

She saw the laggard twilight come

And, chased by rippling wakes of foam,

She saw the fisher fleet come home —

Brown sails a-sheen

Against the green

With shadows creeping in between!

She saw, when it was evening, all

Day's banners stream in crimson rout

Till night's soft finger blurred them out,

And, high and far,

A perfect star

Shone where the keys of heaven are!

“O far and constant star,” she said,

“O passing sail, O passing bird,

O passing day — bring you no word

Of winds that steer

His ship a-near?

Where sails my love that sails not here?

“The days in splendid pageant pass,

In lovely peace the nights go by,

And day and night are sweet; but I —

I cannot say

Lo, the bright day!

Can it be dawn and love away?”