George Darley

Lenimina Laborum. 57. The Temptress of the Cave

From the M.S. "The Sea-Bride."

Listen youth! listen, listen,
To my dittying lyre and song, 
She whose eyes so gently glisten,
Cannot will thee wrong.
that unto thee, as me.
Deep dominion of the sea,
Did, sweet youth, belong.

'Neath the wave there is no sorrow.
Love the only pain we know,
Jocund night brings joyful morrow,
To the bowers below.
At the green foot of this well,
Lies my glassy bower and cell,
Will the Mortal go?

I will give thee green shell-armour,
Chrystal spear, and helm of gold,
Sword of proof against the charmer,
Like a knight of old.
Thou shalt in a chariot brave,
Roam the deep, and ride the wave;
Dare thou be so bold?

O'er the wave-blue waters sliding,
What proud pleasure it will be.
Thy wild ocean-coursers guiding.
To be-lord the sea.
Down the rocky ladder steep,
Winding to the wondrous deep.
Come, come with me!

Treasures past the power of telling,
Richly shall the deed repay,
Come! I hear the sea-caves knelling,
"Come! come away!"
Come and boast thee to have been
"Wanderer of the sea-bed green,
Till thy dying day!