THE Port-Reeve's maid has laid her down Upon a restless pillow, But wakeful thought is wandering Ayont the ocean billow. Her love's away -- he's far away -- A world of waves asunder -- Around him now the storm may burst With fearful peals of thunder! But yet -- the night wind's breath is faint, The night-beam entereth meekly; But when the moon's fair face is free, Strange she should shine so weakly! -- Yet guided by her waning beam His ship must swim securely -- Beneath so fair a sky as this He'll strike his haven surely! There came a knocking to the door, That hour so lone and stilly; And something to the maiden said -- "Arise for true love Willie!" Another knock! another still -- Three knocks were given clearly -- Then quickly rose the Port-Reeve's maid -- Her seaman she loved dearly! And first she saw a streak of light, Like moonshine cold and paly; And then she heard a well-known step -- The maiden's pulse beat gaily! She saw a light, she heard a step, She marked a figure slender Across the threshold pass like thought, And stand in her lone chamber. It paced the chamber once and twice, It crossed it three times slowly -- But when she to her Maker prayed, It fled like sprite unholy. The form the vanished shadow wore Was of her true love Willie -- O not a breath escaped the lips That pallid looked and chilly! Long motionless the maiden stood, In wonder, fear, and sorrow -- A tale of wreck, a tale of wo Was told her on the morrow! The ship of her returning hopes Had sunk beneath the billow -- The ocean-shell, the ocean-weed Were now her lover's pillow! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LEPER (2) by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 3: 5. WALTON'S BOOK OF LIVE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH YARROW REVISITED by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH YOUR TREASURE by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON |