In the pools spat out by the spiteful main,
Wallowing in sandy dykes and delves:
And the blear-eyed filmy sea did boom
With his old mysterious hungering sound:
And the wet wind wail'd in the chinks of the tomb,
Till the weeds in the surf were drench'd and drown'd.
But once a stranger came over the wave,
And paused by the pale-faced Lady's grave.
XXXII.
It was when, just about to set,
A sadness held the sinking sun.
The moon delayed to rise[errata 1] as yet:
The Ave-Mary chime was done:
And from the bell-tower lean'd the ringers;
And in the chancel paused the singers,
With lingering looks, and claspëd fingers:
And the day reluctantly turn'd to his rest,
Like some untold life, that leaves exprest
But the half of its hungering love ere it close:
So he went sadly toward his repose
Deep in the heart of the slumbrous waves
Kindled far off in the desolate West.
And the breeze sprang up in the cool sea-caves.
The castle stood with its courts in shade,
And all its toothëd towers imprest
On the sorrowful light that sunset made—
Such a light as sleeps shut up in the breast
- ↑ Correction: rise should be amended to shine
