I PACED, an easy rambler, Along the surf-washed shore -- And watched the noble freightage The swelling ocean bore. I met a moody fellow Who thus discoursed his wo -- "Across the inconstant waters, Deceitful woman, go! "I loved that beauteous lady -- More truly wight ne'er loved -- I loved that high-born lady, My faith she long had proved: Her troth to me she plighted With passion's amorous show -- Go o'er the inconstant waters, Ungrateful worldling, go! "Be mine you cliff-perched chapel Which beetles o'er the deep; There, like some way-worn palmer, I'll sit me down and weep. I'll note upon the billows Her lessening sail of snow, And waft across the waters -- Go, fleeting fair one, go!" He clambered to the chapel That toppled o'er the deep -- There, like a way-worn palmer, He laid him down to weep: And still I heard his wailing Upon the strand below -- "Go o'er the inconstant waters, Go, faithless woman, go!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OCTAVES: 2 by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON BUNCHES OF GRAPES by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE SONNETS FOR PICTURES: A VENETIAN PASTORAL (BY GIOGIONE) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI STORM AT SEA (2) by ALCAEUS OF MYTILENE THE CHARWOMAN by GEORGE LAWRENCE ANDREWS THE STRAYED REVELLER by MATTHEW ARNOLD ADMIRAL, HAIL! by ANNA EMILIA BAGSTAD |