I PACED, an easy rambler, Along the surf-washed shore -- And watched the noble freightage The swelling ocean bore. I met a moody fellow Who thus discoursed his wo -- "Across the inconstant waters, Deceitful woman, go! "I loved that beauteous lady -- More truly wight ne'er loved -- I loved that high-born lady, My faith she long had proved: Her troth to me she plighted With passion's amorous show -- Go o'er the inconstant waters, Ungrateful worldling, go! "Be mine you cliff-perched chapel Which beetles o'er the deep; There, like some way-worn palmer, I'll sit me down and weep. I'll note upon the billows Her lessening sail of snow, And waft across the waters -- Go, fleeting fair one, go!" He clambered to the chapel That toppled o'er the deep -- There, like a way-worn palmer, He laid him down to weep: And still I heard his wailing Upon the strand below -- "Go o'er the inconstant waters, Go, faithless woman, go!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DILIGENCE IS TO MAGIC AS PROGRESS IS TO FLIGHT by MARIANNE MOORE PREJUDICE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON GENTLEMEN-RANKERS by RUDYARD KIPLING ODE ON THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER by JORGE MANRIQUE TO MR. GAY, WHO WROTE HIM A CONGRATULATORY LETTER ON FINISHING HOUSE by ALEXANDER POPE A RECIPE FOR SALAD by SYDNEY SMITH THE HIGHER PANTHEISM IN A NUTSHELL by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE |