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!