3. There would be neither moon nor star; But the wave would make music above us afar- Neither moon nor star. We would call aloud in the dreamy dells, They would pelt me with starry spangles and shells, All night, merrily, merrily : But I would throw to them back in mine Turkis and agate and almondine : Then leaping out upon them unseen I would kiss them often under the sea, Oh! what a happy life were mine THE MERMAID. 1. WHо would be A mermaid fair, With a comb of pearl, 2. I would be a mermaid fair; I would sing to myself the whole of the day; From under my starry sea-bud crown Low adown and around, And I should look like a fountain of gold With a shrill inner sound, Over the throne In the midst of the hall; Till that great sea-snake under the sea From his coiled sleeps in the central deeps Round the hall where I sate, and look in at the gate With his large calm eyes for the love of me. And all the mermen under the sea Would feel their immortality Die in their hearts for the love of me. 3. But at night I would wander away, away, With the mermen in and out of the rocks; Woo me, and win me, and marry me, In the branching jaspers under the sea ; And if I should carol aloud, from aloft All things that are forked, and horned, and soft Would lean out from the hollow sphere of the sea, All looking down for the love of me. SONNET TO J. M. K. My hope and heart is with thee-thou wilt be Arrows of lightnings. I will stand and mark. |