Poem by Madison Julius Cawein

The Sea-King

    1

    In green sea-caverns dim,
     Deep down,
    A monarch pale and slim,
     Whose soul's a frown,
    He ruleth cold and grim
     In foamy crown:
    In green sea-caverns dim,
         Deep down.

    2

    He hears the Mermaid sing
         So sad!
    Far off like some curs'd thing,
     That ne'er is glad,
    A vague, wild murmuring,
     That drives men mad:
    He hears the Mermaid sing
         So sad!

    3

    Strange monster bulks are there,
         That yawn
    Or roll huge eyes that glare
     And then are gone;
    Weird foliage passing fair
     Where clings the spawn:
    Strange monster bulks are there,
         That yawn.

    4

    What cares he for wrecked hulls
         These years!
    Red gold the water dulls!
     Grim, dead-men jeers
    On jaws of a thousand skulls
     Of mariners!
    What cares he for wrecked hulls
         These years!

    5

    Man's tears are loved of him,
         Deep down;
    Set in the foamy rim
     Of his frail crown
    To pearls the tear-drops dim
     Freeze at his frown:
    Man's tears are loved of him,
         Deep down.

    6

    Here be the halls of Sleep
         Full mute,
    Chill, shadowy, and deep,
     Where hangs no lute
    To make the still heart leap
     Of man or brute:
    Here be the halls of Sleep
         Full mute.

1. In the Mountains
2. The Iron Cross
3. Above the Vales
4. Zero
5. Communicants

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