[Gutenberg 42052] • The Golden Helm, and Other Verse

Excerpt from The Golden Helm and Other Verse

Which, foaming, gape at night beneath the keel The mouth of hell to storm-bewildered ships But no scar-stranded vessel met his glance. Relieved, he drank the glistering calm of morn, With nostril keen and warm lips parted wide; While, gradually, the sun-enkindled air Quickened his pallid cheek with youthful flame, Though lonely years had silvered his dark head, And round his eyes had woven shadow-meshes. Clearly he caught the ever-clamorous cries Of guillemot and puffin from afar, Where, canopied by hovering, white wings, They crowded naked pinnacles of rock. He watched, with eyes of glistening tenderness, The brooding eider - Cuthbert's sacred bird, That bears among the isles his saintly name Breast the calm waves; a black, wet-gleaming fin Cleft the blue waters with a foaming jag, Where, close behind the restless herring-herd, With ravening maw of death, the porpoise sped. Oswald, light-tranced, dreamed in the sun awhile.

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