New Zealand Verse/Told by the Sea

CIV.

Told by the Sea.

A rose-hued time it was to me—
A day of happiness so strange.
We stood beside the sapphire sea,
Behind us was the wooded range

That brooded in the sunset’s gold
O’er faerie lore the warm winds brought;
From many a field and laughing wold,
Where men and women lived and wrought.

The warm wind’s breath soon hushed to rest,
And salt sea-scents spread far and wide.
A white bird called from out the west
Whence purpling shadows came to bide,

And softly steal round stock and stone
With deftest touch enfolding all,
While still the low sweet undertone
From sea-caves seemed to rise and fall.

And gold the strand on which we stood,
That perfect eve beside the sea,
And talked of much so new and good,
And forged for problems deep a key.

But when we turned us to depart
I lingering looked on sky and sea,
To take that picture to my heart.
You waited too— then reverently

You took my heart within your palm,
And softly turned the leaves and read,
And then you turned the cover down,
“I love you, love!” you gently said,

And crowned me queen straightway, O king!
Wherefore my feet for evermore
Go softly, and the air’s a-ring
With music sweet—unheard before.

Dolce A. Cabot