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, But I would throw to them back in mine 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, In a golden curl With a comb of pearl, On a throne ? 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 Round the hall where I sate, and look in at the gate 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, I would fling on each side my low-flowing locks, On the broad sea-wolds in the crimson shells, From the diamond-ledges that jut from the dells; 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 To scare church-harpies from the master's feast; Mounted in heaven wilt shoot into the dark Arrows of lightnings. I will stand and mark. |