NEREIA
Long time she stood hard by the parapet,
Like a bright beacon ’mid the dusky night,
For she was very tall and white of limb,
And shone in the moonbeams.
But the night wore on,
And still the stars kept vigil, and the moon,
And fair Nereia watch’d with them; but still
No vessel rounded the black jutting rock.
Till, hearing the soft breathing of her maids
Borne slumbrously upon the air, and all
The gentle heavings of the broad sea-breast,
She also sank at last to sleep, o’ercome
By the kind quiet and persuasive peace;
Murmuring low, like a last evening prayer
Oft-times repeated: “Prithee hasten, Love!”
Then slumber touch’d her lips, and all was still.
But now the flushing of the dawn began
To stir within the innocent-hearted heaven;
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