THE AVOXDERS OF THE SHORE. 115 



So they went on in their joy, more white than the foam which 



they scattered, 

 Laughing and singing and tossing and twining, while, eager, 



the Tritons 

 Blinded v.'ith kisses their eyes, unreproved, and above them in 



worship 

 Fluttered the terns, and the sea-gulls swept past them on 



silvery pinions. 

 Echoing softly their laughter; around them the wantoning 



dolphins 

 Sighed as they plunged, full of love ; and the great sea-horses 



which bore them 

 Cur\-cd up their crests in their pride to the deUcate arms of 



tlieir riders, 

 I'awing the spray into gems, till a fiery rainfall, unharming, 

 Sparkled and gleamed on the limbs of the maids, and the coils 



of the mermen. 

 So they went on in their joy, bathed round with the fiery 



coolness, 

 Needing nor sun nor moon, self-lighted, immortal: but others, 

 Pitiful, floated in silence apart; on their knees lay the sea- 

 boys 

 WTiclmed by the roll of the surge, swept down by the anger 



of Nercus; 

 Hapless, whom never atmin upon quay or strand shall their 



mothers 

 Welcome with garlands and vows to tlie temples ; but, wearily 



pining, 

 Uazc over iitland and main for the sails which return not; 



they heedless 

 Sleep in soft bosoms for ever, ami dream of the surge and the 



sco-maids. 

 So they past by in their joy, like a dream, down the murmur- 

 ing ripples." 



