On Kennack Sands the sun br Shines, and the fresh wind blows, br Moulding pale banks anew, br Where the sea--holly grows. br Waters softly blue br And exquisitely clear br Meet the o'er--arching sky; br O'er them the breezes run. br There may'st thou idly lie, br And still find new delights, br Watching the gulls' white flights br Above that lonely place; br Listen, nor ever hear br A single human sound br To spoil the free, profound, br Aerial quietness. br But when thou'rt gone, the night br On Kennack comes; and soon, br Lovely beyond dreams, br Arises the round moon; br In whose trembling light br The rough splendour gleams br Of the crested sea. br Ah, could'st thou there then be! br But mortal ears can hear not br What those pale sands hear then; br Sounds not of mortal birth, br Laughter, and dance, and mirth, br Of the golden--haired sea--fairies, br Mermaidens and mermen.