ONE time he dreamed beside a sea <br />That laid a mane of mimic stars <br />In fondling quiet on the knee <br />Of one tall, pearlèd cliff; the bars <br />Of golden beaches upward swept; <br />Pine-scented shadows seaward crept. <br /> <br />The full moon swung her ripened sphere <br />As from a vine; and clouds, as small <br />As vine leaves in the opening year, <br />Kissed the large circle of her ball. <br />The stars gleamed thro' them as one sees <br />Thor' vine leaves drift the golden bees. <br /> <br />He dreamed beside this purple sea; <br />Low sang its trancéd voice, and he- <br />He knew not if the wordless strain <br />Made prophecy of joy or pain; <br />He only knew far stretched that sea, <br />He knew its name-Eternity. <br /> <br />A shallop with a rainbow sail <br />On the bright pulses of the tide <br />Throbbed airily; a fluting gale <br />Kissed the rich gilding of its side; <br />By chain of rose and myrtle fast <br />A light sail touched the slender mast. <br /> <br />'A flower-bright rainbow thing,' he said <br />To one beside him, 'far too frail <br />To brave dark storms that lurk ahead, <br />To dare sharp talons of the gale. <br />Beloved, thou wouldst not forth with me <br />In such a bark on such a sea?' <br /> <br />'First tell me of its name.' She bent <br />Her eyes divine and innocent <br />On his. He raised his hand above <br />Its prow and answering swore, ''Tis Love!' <br />'Now tell,' she asked, 'how is it build- <br />Of gold, or worthless timber gilt?' <br /> <br />'Of gold,' he said. 'Whence named?' asked she, <br />The roses of her lips apart; <br />She paused-a lily by the sea. <br />Came his swift answer, 'From my heart!' <br />She laid her light palm in his hand: <br />'Let loose the shallop from the strand!'<br /><br />Isabella Valancy Crawford<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/beside-the-sea/
