Sonnets Round the Coast :: :: University of Virginia Library

IX. THE DEATH OF OLAF THE DANE—

SUNSET BEYOND THE ISLE OF MAN.

Full of the Northmen's mission deeds, I strolled
Along the beach that looks to Mona's isle,
In marvel how the Cross set up by guile
Could preach a God of human love, and mould
Men into Christ-like shape, or ever hold
A dying Saviour on it. Hakon's wile,
His pagan, beast's life: Olaf's god-like smile,
And brave, untreacherous hands, made answer bold.
Then, as of Astrid's warrior child I thought,
He took such giant size, that Mona's shore
Seemed the Long-Serpent hull Earl Eric fought,
And the horizon weltered as with gore;
While through the purple waves, with sun for shield,
He sank to death, who had not learned to yield.