Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Roden Berkeley Wriothesley Noel 1834–94

Sea Slumber-Song

SEA-BIRDS are asleep,

The world forgets to weep,

Sea murmurs her soft slumber-song

On the shadowy sand

Of this elfin land;

“I, the Mother mild,

Hush thee, O my child,

Forget the voices wild!

Isles in elfin light

Dream, the rocks and caves,

Lull’d by whispering waves,

Veil their marbles bright,

Foam glimmers faintly white

Upon the shelly sand

Of this elfin land;

Sea-sound, like violins,

To slumber woos and wins,

I murmur my soft slumber-song,

Leave woes, and wails, and sins,

Ocean’s shadowy might

Breathes goodnight,

Good-night!”