Lord Arnaldos

The strangest of adventures,
That happen by the sea,
Befell to Lord Arnaldos
On the Evening of St. John ;

For he was out a-hunting —
A huntsman bold was he ! —
When he beheld a little ship
And close to land was she.

Her cords were all of silver,
Her sails of cramasy ;
And he who sailed the little ship
Was singing at the helm :

The waves stood still to hear him,
The wind was soft and low ;
The fish who dwell in darkness
Ascended through the sea,

And all the birds in heaven
Flew down to his mast-tree.
Then spake the Lord Arnaldos,
(Well shall you hear his words !)

" Tell me for God's sake, sailor,
What song may that song be ? '
The sailor spake in answer,
And answer thus made he :

" I only tell my song to those
Who sail away with me."