Classic Poem

Upon a perfect starry night
We stood beside the silent deep,
Tranced in a still supreme delight,
While all the earth was tranced in sleep
" O holy stars that gaze from heaven above,
Guard us, " I murmured — " shield true hearts who love!
Watch over him, watch over him and me "
— A threatening strange moan answered from the sea,
" Ah me! Ah me! "

And now upon a wintry night,
While at my feet the breakers roar
Flecking the beach with angry white,
I stand just where we stood of yore.
There are no stars to-night in heaven above;
Dead is my darling, dead are hope and love:
Dear beyond words my darling was to me,
But he was dearer to the jealous sea,
Ah me! Ah me!

Not till the sea gives up its dead
Shall he and I stand face to face:
No soul once clasped has ever fled
Back from the mighty sea's embrace.
But when the sea yields up its hosts of dead
Our marriage-bells shall ring — so love has said:
One day from out the vast imprisoning sea
My dead lost darling shall return to me;
One day — Ah me!