Page:Verses–Blanche·Baughan-1898.pdf/124

 But the white bird flew swiftly o’er the sea Even to the palace steps. Full near it came, And lo! it was a pinnace that she saw, With pearly sails, and with a well-carv’d prow That bore the semblance of a maiden’s face. Then up she sprang, and stretch’d her fair arms wide In joyful expectation, all untouch’d By shadow of fear; Nereia knew not fear; And in her rapture cried aloud, and woke The sleeping maids and children at her feet, Crying with joy, “O Love! My Love!” No less The new-born waves, delighting in the voice That was their sister’s, raced each other swift Back from the shore to the fair-carven prow, Chiming in crystal choruses her words Clearly; and there was one who heeded them.

But when the boat sped nearer, and the sand Grew silvery ’neath the shallowing blue waves,