Calm at sea! His beams all radiant Throws the sun across the water, And amid the heaving jewels, Furrows green the ship is tracing.
Near the steersman lies the boatswain On his stomach, snoring gently; Near the mast, the sails repairing, Squats the cabin-boy, all-tarry.
But behind his cheeks so dirty Red blood springs, a mournful quiv’ring Round his wide mouth plays, and sadly Stare his eyes, so large and handsome.
For the captain stands before him, Raving, cursing, “thief” exclaiming: “Thief! a herring you have stolen “From the barrel, O you rascal!”
Calm at sea! From out the waters Lifts himself a clever fishkin; In the sun his head he warmeth, Splashing with his tail so gaily.
But the sea-mew, soaring over, Shooteth down upon the fishkin, And his sudden prize fast holding In his bill, again mounts upward.
But I upon the ship’s edge was lying, And gazed with my eyes all dreamy Down on the glassy pellucid water, And gazed yet deeper and deeper-- Till, deep in the ocean’s abysses, At first like a glimmering mist, Then, bit by bit, with hues more decided, Domes of churches and towers appeared, And at last, clear as sunlight, a city, Antiquarian Netherlandish, And swarming with life. Reverent men, in garments of black, With snowy frills and chains of honour, And lengthy swords and lengthy faces, Over the crowded market are pacing Tow’rd the high-stair’d council-chamber, Where Emperors’ stony images Keep guard with sceptre and sword:-- Hard by, in front of the long row of houses, With mirror-like glistening windows, Stand the lindens all trimm’d into pyramids, And silken rustling maidens are wandering, A golden band round their slender bodies, Their blooming faces neatly surrounded By head-dresses velvet and black, From whence their abundant locks are escaping. Gay young fellows, in Spanish costume, Proudly are passing and nodding. Aged women, In garments all brown and strange-looking, Psalm-book and rosary in hand, Hasten with tripping step Tow’rd the cathedral church, Impell’d by the sound of the bells, And the rushing notes of the organ.
Mysterious awe seizeth me too, Caused by the distant sound; A ne’er-ending yearning and sadness deep Steal o’er my heart, My scarcely-heal’d heart; It seems as though its bitter wounds By dear lips were kiss’d open, And once again were bleeding With drops hot and ruddy, Which long and slowly downward fall Upon an ancient house below In yon deep-ocean city, Upon an ancient and high-gabled house, Where sits in lonely melancholy A maiden at the window, Her head on her arm reclined, Like to some poor, forgotten child, And I know thee, thou poor, forgotten child.