The Changeling

"Ahoy, and ahoy!"         'Twixt mocking and merry -      "Ahoy and ahoy, there,         Young man of the ferry!"      She stood on the steps         In the watery gloom -      That Changeling - "Ahoy, there!"         She called him to come.      He came on the green wave,         He came on the grey,      Where stooped that sweet lady         That still summer's day.      He fell in a dream         Of her beautiful face,      As she sat on the thwart         And smiled in her place.      No echo his oar woke,         Float silent did they,      Past low-grazing cattle         In the sweet of the hay.      And still in a dream         At her beauty sat he,      Drifting stern foremost         Down - down to the sea.      Come you, then: call,         When the twilight apace      Brings shadow to brood         On the loveliest face;      You shall hear o'er the water         Ring faint in the grey -      "Ahoy, and ahoy, there!"         And tremble away;      "Ahoy, and ahoy!..."         And tremble away.