THE WIFE FROM THE SEA

I snatched her from her home away —

From her great waters, cool and free,

My sea-maid, in whose eyes there lay

The depths and dangers of the sea.

I brought her where faint breezes sweep

Through lanes walled in with hedges high,

And sown with luscious grass and deep

At ease the fatted pastures lie.

I gave her my poor cottage home,

The tame face of the countryside —

Who knew the waves’ withdrawing foam,

The thunder of the bursting tide.

And day by day did I rejoice

To see her sit beside my door,

Nor knew that in her heart the voice

Of ocean called forever more.

Until the grace I would not give

Death gave. His mighty hand set free

My wild sea-maid, that could not live

Without her waters’ liberty.

And I?— To me the fields are dear;

The steadfast earth is home to me.

Yet night by night in dreams I hear

Her spirit call me from the sea.