THE wind blew fresh and seaward made, The water stirred and lifted; She, in carven coffer laid, Rode the sea, and drifted. Stolen upon her cheek tear-wet Fear in that hour came preying; But Perseus in her arm she set And held him to her, saying: 'Child, my heart is faint with care . . . You lie quiet, unaware, Drowsing still, dream-possest, All the world a mother's breast. In this vessel brute and bare, Brazen-clamped and timbered tight, Stark your bed, wrapt about With the darkness of our night And the raven gloom without. Spindrift comes and then is gone Dashing your hair with deepening brine, And the wind howls -- all in vain. Safe you rest, sleeping on In your cloak of purple stain, Cheek laid up to cheek of mine. Child, if fear to you were fear, Soon would turn that dainty ear To my words attending; Now I bid you nothing hear -- Sleep, my babe, sleep, O sea, Sleep, my pain unending. Father Zeus, I call to thee. Lighten our adversity, Turning evil into good. Oh, forgive my hardihood If I speak offending.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOLY CHRISTMAS by GEORGE HERBERT CATAWBA WINE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW MODERN LOVE: 43 by GEORGE MEREDITH ISAAC AND ARCHIBALD by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE ALTAR STONE by RICHARD ALEXANDER A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR by LAURA F. ARMITAGE |