(ALASKAN BALLAD) <br /> <br />The Northland reared his hoary head <br /> And spied the Southland leagues away-- <br />"Fairest of all fair brides," he said, <br /> "Be thou my bride, I pray!" <br /> <br />Whereat the Southland laughed and cried: <br /> "I'll bide beside my native sea, <br />And I shall never be thy bride <br /> Till thou com'st wooing me!" <br /> <br />The Northland's heart was a heart of ice, <br /> A diamond glacier, mountain high-- <br />Oh, love is sweet at any price, <br /> As well know you and I! <br /> <br />So gayly the Northland took his heart <br /> And cast it in the wailing sea-- <br />"Go, thou, with all thy cunning art, <br /> And woo my bride for me!" <br /> <br />For many a night and for many a day, <br /> And over the leagues that rolled between, <br />The true-heart messenger sped away <br /> To woo the Southland queen. <br /> <br />But the sea wailed loud, and the sea wailed long, <br /> While ever the Northland cried in glee: <br />"Oh, thou shalt sing us our bridal song, <br /> When comes my bride, O sea!" <br /> <br />At the foot of the Southland's golden throne <br /> The heart of the Northland ever throbs-- <br />For that true-heart speaks in the waves that moan, <br /> The songs that it sings are sobs. <br /> <br />Ever the Southland spurns the cries <br /> Of the messenger pleading the Northland's part; <br />The summer shines in the Southland's eyes-- <br /> The winter bides in her heart! <br /> <br />And ever unto that far-off place <br /> Which love doth render a hallowed spot, <br />The Northland turneth his honest face <br /> And wonders she cometh not. <br /> <br />The sea wails loud, and the sea wails long, <br /> As the ages of waiting drift slowly by, <br />But the sea shall sing no bridal song-- <br /> As well know you and I!<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-wooing-of-the-southland/
