Clytie — The Sunflower

In pale green twilight lands Under the sea Her rainbow palace stands, Irised and opaline; Agate and almondine, Corals and pearly shells Swept from deep ocean dells, Strewing the silver strands, Starring the golden sands In the green twilight lands Under the sea.

All thro' the dreamy day Under the sea Where the sea-maidens play, Twining foam-garlands fair, Girding their golden hair, Clad in her moss-robe green Veiled in her bright locks' sheen— Where the dim seaweeds sway, Trackless her white feet stray All thro' the dreamy day Under the sea.

Or like a star she glides Over the sea, Deftly her steeds she guides— Gold-fish that glint and gleam, Jewels alive they seem— Softly the surges swell, Rocking the rosy shell Where the sea-maiden rides, Wafture of wooing tides, Swift as a star she glides Over the sea.

One day she lifts her eyes Up from the sea Where the great sun-god flies Over the world afar, Guiding his golden car— All his star brow aglow, All his bright hair aflow; Dawn in his radiance lies, Dusk at his coming dies— Hapless she lifts her eyes Up from the sea.

Swiftly his steeds speed on Over the sea, Soon is the splendor flown, Lone on the shore she stands. Stretching imploring hands, Lifting impassioned eyes Where the last sun-gleam dies; All the day's brightness gone, Hapless she stands alone, Heedless the god speeds on Over the sea.

Ever her wistful gaze Over the sea Yearns on the sun-god's rays— Till by some subtle power Changed to a golden flower— Still in her robe of green, Crowned with her gold hair's sheen Slight on her stem she sways ... Yet does her yearning gaze Follow the sun-god's rays Over the sea.