Marina Sings

(Pericles, Act V. Scene I)

This is the song Marina sang To forlorn Pericles: Silver the young voice rang. The gray beard blew about his knees, And the hair of his bowed head, like a veil, Fell over his cheeks and blent with it: He knew not anything. Above him the Tyrian fold Of the curtain billowed, fringed with gold, As might beseem a king. Sunset was rose on every sail That did along the far sea flit, And rose on the cedarn deck Of the ship that at anchor swayed; And the harbour was golden-lit. He lifted not his neck At the coming of the maid. She swept him with her eyes, As though some tender wing Just touched a bleaching wreck In sheeted sand that lies; Then she began to sing.