I came in triumph from the sea; Bent was my crown, my courts grown mean, And on my throne a faded queen Raised alien eyes, and looked at me. “My queen! These rubies let me lay Upon thy heart, as once my head ...” She smiled pale scorn: “My heart!” she said, And turned her weary eyes away. IN THE ENCHANTED TOWER The waves in thunderous menace break Upon the rocks below my tower, And none will dare the Sea-king’s power And venture shipwreck for my sake. Yet once,--my lamp a path of light Across the darkling sea had cast-- I saw a sail; at last, at last, It came towards me through the night. My lamp had been the beacon set To lead the ship through mist and foam, The ship that came to take me home, To that far land I half forget. But since my tower is built so high, And surf-robed rocks curl hid below, I quenched my lamp--and, weeping low I saw my ship go safely by! FAITH Through the long night, the deathlong night, Along the dark and haunted way, I knew your hidden face was bright-- More bright than any day. And when the faint, insistent moan Rose from some weed-grown wayside grave, I said, “I do not walk alone; ’Tis easy to be brave.” I never turned to speak with you, For all the way was dark and long, But all the shadows’ menace through Your silence was my song. I never sought to take your hand, For all the way was long and rough; I taught my soul to understand That love was strength enough. Then, suddenly, the ghosts drew near, A ghastly, gliding, tomb-white band; I called aloud for you to hear, My hand besought your hand. No voice, no touch--the thin ghosts glide Where in my dream I dreamed you were-- Night, night, you are not by my side, You never have been there! THE REFUSAL Mine is a palace fair to see, All hung with gold and silver things, It is more glorious than a king’s, And crownèd queens might envy me. Ah, no, I will not let you in! Stay rather at the gates and weep For all the splendour that I keep, The treasures that you cannot win. While you desire and I refuse, For both the palace still is here-- Its turrets gold, its silver gear Are yours to wish for--mine to use. But if I let you in, I know The spell would break, the palace fade, And we stand, trembling and afraid, Lost in the dark where chill winds blow. PRELUDE Out of the west when the sun was dying Clouds of white wings came flying, flying, Wheeling and whirling they swept away Into the heart of the eastern gray; But one white dove came straight to my breast Out of the west.