 | Syren songs |  |
I. THE TEMPTATION.
O step and try how along the smooth ocean
As safe as the wild-bird thou'lt wander to me,—
O step and feel how supreme the emotion
To tread like an elve the green ooze of the sea.
As safe as the wild-bird thou'lt wander to me,—
O step and feel how supreme the emotion
To tread like an elve the green ooze of the sea.
Come and behold the wide deep in its splendour,
While bright shines the path from the sun to the shore—
Come while the waves their wild freedom surrender,
And humble their proud necks for thee to step o'er.
While bright shines the path from the sun to the shore—
Come while the waves their wild freedom surrender,
And humble their proud necks for thee to step o'er.
Firm is the flood to thy foot, and as fleetly
As wind shalt thou waft on its bosom secure!
Come while the blue sky is beaming so sweetly,
And air is so balmy, and light is so pure!
As wind shalt thou waft on its bosom secure!
Come while the blue sky is beaming so sweetly,
And air is so balmy, and light is so pure!
81
Hymns of soft triumph all day shall attend thee
Where'er be thy spirit's young fancy to roam!
Bow'rs of red coral at eve overbend thee
To shade thee in slumber from night dew and foam!
Where'er be thy spirit's young fancy to roam!
Bow'rs of red coral at eve overbend thee
To shade thee in slumber from night dew and foam!
Step then and try how along the broad level
Thou'lt follow the Sun to his cave in the deep!
O step, and join at his red evening revel
The loud liquid chorus that lulls him to sleep!
Thou'lt follow the Sun to his cave in the deep!
O step, and join at his red evening revel
The loud liquid chorus that lulls him to sleep!
Thee, thee will I lull with sea-ditties so tender,
The bee cannot murmur as soft to the rose!
With my bright golden harp, gentle Youth, I will render
Thy slumbers as calm as an angel's repose.
The bee cannot murmur as soft to the rose!
With my bright golden harp, gentle Youth, I will render
Thy slumbers as calm as an angel's repose.
Step then, oh step! and we'll tread a wild measure
As far as the sunbeams lie smooth on the main!
Oh step and try if so thrilling a pleasure
Will ne'er tempt thee o'er the bright waters again.
As far as the sunbeams lie smooth on the main!
Oh step and try if so thrilling a pleasure
Will ne'er tempt thee o'er the bright waters again.
| Syren songs | |