ONE time he dreamed beside a sea br That laid a mane of mimic stars br In fondling quiet on the knee br Of one tall, pearlèd cliff; the bars br Of golden beaches upward swept; br Pine-scented shadows seaward crept. br br The full moon swung her ripened sphere br As from a vine; and clouds, as small br As vine leaves in the opening year, br Kissed the large circle of her ball. br The stars gleamed thro' them as one sees br Thor' vine leaves drift the golden bees. br br He dreamed beside this purple sea; br Low sang its trancéd voice, and he- br He knew not if the wordless strain br Made prophecy of joy or pain; br He only knew far stretched that sea, br He knew its name-Eternity. br br A shallop with a rainbow sail br On the bright pulses of the tide br Throbbed airily; a fluting gale br Kissed the rich gilding of its side; br By chain of rose and myrtle fast br A light sail touched the slender mast. br br 'A flower-bright rainbow thing,' he said br To one beside him, 'far too frail br To brave dark storms that lurk ahead, br To dare sharp talons of the gale. br Beloved, thou wouldst not forth with me br In such a bark on such a sea?' br br 'First tell me of its name.' She bent br Her eyes divine and innocent br On his. He raised his hand above br Its prow and answering swore, ''Tis Love!' br 'Now tell,' she asked, 'how is it build- br Of gold, or worthless timber gilt?' br br 'Of gold,' he said. 'Whence named?' asked she, br The roses of her lips apart; br She paused-a lily by the sea.