Page:The Forest Sanctuary.pdf/127

Rh

But the dreams of rest were still on earth, And the silent stars on high, And there wav'd not the smoke of one cabin-hearth 'Midst the quiet of the sky; And along the twilight bay In their sleep the hamlets lay, For they knew not the Norse were nigh!

The Sea-king look'd o'er the brooding wave: He turn'd to the dusky shore, And there seem'd, through the arch of a tide-worn cave, A gleam, as of snow, to pour; And forth, in watery light, Mov'd phantoms, dimly white, Which the garb of woman bore.

Slowly they mov'd to the billow side; And the forms, as they grew more clear, Seem'd each on a tall pale steed to ride, And a shadowy crest to rear, And to beckon with faint hand From the dark and rocky strand, And to point a gleaming spear.