And set his eyes to seaward, nor gave ear

If sound from landward hailed him, dire or dear;

And passing forth of all those fair fierce ranks

Back to the grey sea-banks,

Against a sea-rock lying, aslant the steep,

Fell after many sleepless dreams on sleep.

And in his sleep the dun green light was shed

Heavily round his head

That through the veil of sea falls fathom-deep,

Blurred like a lamp's that when the night drops dead

Dies; and his eyes gat grace of sleep to see

The deep divine dark dayshine of the sea,

Dense water-walls and clear dusk water-ways,

Broad-based, or branching as a sea-flower sprays

That side or this dividing; and anew

The glory of all her glories that he knew.

And in sharp rapture of recovering tears

He woke on fire with yearnings of old years,

Pure as one purged of pain that passion bore,

Ill child of bitter mother; for his own

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