84 
AMBERGRIS 
In any space serene or slack 
Some colour, blushing o’er the fawn 
Dim-lighted lawn. 
 
And under all the shadowy shapes 
Of steep and silent bays and capes 
The water takes its darkest hue ; 
Catches no laughter from the blue ; 
No purple ray or god escapes, 
But dim green shadow comes and drapes 
Its lustre :  thus the night burns through 
Tall groves of yew. 
 
Thither, ah thither !  Hollow vales 
Trembling with early nightingales ! 
Languish, O sea of sleep !  Young moon 
Dream on above in maiden swoon ! 
None daring to invoke the gales 
To shake our sea, and swell our sails. 
Not song, but silence, were a boon— 
Save for this tune. 
 
Round capes grown darker as night falls, 
We see at last the splendid walls 
That ridge the bay ;  the town lies there 
Lighted (the temple’s hour for prayer) 
At grave harmonious intervals. 
The grand voice of some seaman calls, 
Just as the picture fades, aware 
How it was fair.