Jephthah and Other Mysteries

LYRICAL AND DRAMATIC. 209. Springs desperate upon her poop; she shakes; He strings a sudden arrow. Ocean sweeps Over his curséd craft. The arrow takes The straight swift road—Ah God !—to her who sleeps, To her bright bosom as at peace she lies. She is dead quickly, and the ocean keeps The secret of my sorrow from her eyes. I will not weep; I cannot weep; I turn And watch the sail fill with the wind that sighs A little for pure pity—I discern The cowards shake with fear; the vessel springs Light to the breezes, as the golden erne That seeks a prey on its impetuous wings: The reef is past ; I crash upon the foe, And all the fury of my weapon rings On armour temperless ; the waters flow Through the dark rent within the side; I leap Back to my dead love ; back, desiring so That they had killed me, for I cannot weep. They killed her, and a mist of blood consumes My sight ; they killed my lover in her sleep. The breeze has freshened, and the water fumes, The vessel races on beneath the sky ; Beneath her bows the eager billow spumes, P