Ambergris

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.