Page:Songs of the Springtides - Swinburne (1880).pdf/87

 O flower of all wind-flowers and sea-flowers, Made lovelier by love of the sea Than thy golden own field-flowers, or tree-flowers Like foam of the sea-facing tree! No foot but the seamew's there settles On the spikes of thine anthers like horns, With snow-coloured spray for thy petals, Black rocks for thy thorns.

Was it here, in the waste of his waters, That the lordly north wind, when his love On the fairest of many king's daughters Bore down for a spoil from above, Chose forth of all farthest far islands As a haven to harbour her head, Of all lowlands on earth and all highlands, His bride-worthy bed?