The First Lover

As o'er the vessel's side she leant,         She saw the swimmer in the sea     With eager eyes on her intent,         "Come down, come down and swim with me."     So weary was she of her lot,         Tired of the ship's monotony,     She straightway all the world forgot         Save the young swimmer in the sea     So when the dusky, dying light         Left all the water dark and dim,     She softly, in the friendly night,         Slipped down the vessel's side to him.     Intent and brilliant, brightly dark,         She saw his burning, eager eyes,     And many a phosphorescent spark         About his shoulders fall and rise.     As through the hushed and Eastern night         They swam together, hand in hand,     Or lay and laughed in sheer delight         Full length upon the level sand.     "Ah, soft, delusive, purple night         Whose darkness knew no vexing moon!     Ah, cruel, needless, dawning light         That trembled in the sky too soon!"