The Sea Spirit

Ah me! I shall not waken soon From dreams of such divinity! A spirit singing 'neath the moon To me.

Wild sea-spray driven of the storm Is not so wildly white as she, Who beckoned with a foam-white arm To me.

With eyes dark green, and golden-green Long 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; Till more than Heaven seemed in her To me:--

Sleep, sweeter than love's face or home, And death's immutability, And music of the plangent foam, Ah me!

Sweep over her with all thy ships, With all thy stormy tides, O sea! The memory of immortal lips, And me!