I.
FAIR Guniver roam'd in the sunset light,
Through wood and wold,
In sweet dreams of love, but her heart was bright
As proven gold.
Yet ever a voice to the maiden spoke,
Beware—beware of the false men-folk!
II.
Fair Guniver fished by a lonely stream,
With silken line,
And smiled to see in the silvery gleam
Her image shine.
Yet ever a voice still whispered there,
My child, of the false-men folk beware!
III.
Lo! a Merman rose from the sedgy reeds,
With glittering eyes,
And a mantle of pale-green ocean weeds
Draped kingly-wise;
And wreath'd with the mist of his flowing hair,
Was a crown of the river-lotus fair.
IV.
Sweet Guniver, said he, in tones that fell
So low and clear,
Like music that breathes from the caverned shell
In the listener's ear:
I've gazed on thy beauty down deep in the sea,
And my heart pines away for the love of thee.