The Sea-King :: :: University of Virginia Library

Upward he turned his eye; then gazing down
He saw nought but a wondrous element;
It was not air, but air and water blent;
And when the light stole through it seemed a dusky brown.
Around were huge and wondrous masses thrown,
Which were eternal, or of unknown birth;
These seemed the world's materials whence had grown
The milder forms of the exterior earth.
Now on the rocky ridge old Orvar stood,

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And waved a wand athwart the airy flood;
When up the dread abyss a shallop flew,
Slight was its texture, and an ethery hue
Its feeble colour; Orvar with his wand
Smote the Sea-King; then motioning with his hand,
He bade him enter in and prostrate lay;—
And as thin phantoms light, they then pursued their way.