Where the wild sea rolls up the sultry sand,
Methought we met;
I marked the movements of the billows grand,
And eyes of jet.

On days of calm upon its placid breast,
Watch'd the sunlight:
And then my glance upon thy face would rest,
More calm, more bright.

When rose the moon above the slumberous sea,
I gazed, the while
Her sweet light rain'd enchantment, then on thee
I look'd; thy smile

Was sweeter than those magic beams; my breath
Became a sigh.
Ah! if in such an hour should come dread death,
'Twere sweet to die!

And then again, heart-glad, my laugh would break
As stirr'd by wine,
Or joyful news, to know that I could take
Thy hand in mine,

And feel I was not all unprized by thee,
To whom my soul
Turn'd strong, as turns the full stream to the sea,
The needle to the pole.