NEREIA
Sea-like, re-flashing golden love and joy.
And having gain’d her life’s whole treasure from
The generous-hearted ocean, also this
She look’d to have from the same loving hand.
And did not look in vain, for, not long since,
Over the shifting waters, like a breeze
To bring the day new freshness, had there come
A gift indeed, a word ineffable,
Meet to give thanks for—how the mighty Prince
Who is the lord of all lands round about,
The loving lord of very loving lands:
Whose goodly grace o’erflowing flings abroad,
Thro’ all his realm, delight: as when the sun
At evening overswells his brimming disc,
And, flooded with pure fire, the rich air glows
(This is at sunset, but the Prince breathes yet
Morn’s unspent vigour): how this royal lord,
Extoll’d of all for beauty and for power,
Bless’d and belov’d of all, sought yet one gift,—
The crowning glory of Nereia’s love.
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