Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/286

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"What art thou? and what is this?" Whispered I, and strove to kiss The spirit's hand, to wake his eyes; Up he started in a trice: "I am Lycidas," said he, "Fam'd in fun'ral minstrelsy! This was architectur'd thus By the great Oceanus!— Here his mighty waters play Hollow organs all the day; Here, by turns, his dolphins all, Finny palmers, great and small, Come to pay devotion due,— Each a mouth of pearls must strew! Many a mortal of these days, Dares to pass our sacred ways; Dares to touch, audaciously; This cathedral of the sea! I have been the pontiff-priest, Where the waters never rest, Where a fledgy sea-bird choir Soars forever ! Holy fire I have hid from mortal man; Proteus is my Sacristan! But the dulled eye of mortal Hath passed beyond the rocky portal; So forever will I leave Such a taint, and soon unweave All the magic of the place." So saying, with a Spirit's glance He dived!