SIREN SONG 
A Ballad 

The wave, soft murmuring, 
With the wind frolicking, 
Leaps up into the air. 
You see it tremble, hover, 
Tumble and topple over, 
It is the Sirens’ lair. 

They pluck the lyre to enthrall 
In heavenly festival, 

In melody divine. 
They draw both near and far, 
Earth and distant star 

Into their song sublime. 

Its charm is so profound 
One cannot chide the sound 
That soars so radiantly. 
As if great spirits there 
Would lure the listener 
Into the dark blue sea. 

As if there swells and grows 
From waves a world that flows 
Loftily, secretly. 
As if in waters deep 
The Gods are all asleep 
Down in the dark blue sea. 

A little boat draws near, 
The waves are charmed to hear 
A gentle bard exalted, 
His looks so frank and free, 
Image and melody 
Like love and hope transfigured. 

His lyre rules o’er the deep. 
Naiads that were asleep 
Lend him their song-charmed ear. 

And all the waves resound 
With song and lyre’s sweet sound 
And dance high in the air. 

But hear the sad refrains, 
The Sirens’ far-off strains 

Of sweet melodiousness. 
The poet to enthrall, 
The Goddesses shine all 

In sound and loveliness. 

“O youth, soar up and play, 

Rule o’er the listening sea; 
The goal you seek is high, 

Your breast swells rapturously. 

“Here, sumptuous water-halls 
Your song alone surprises, 
And as the great tide falls, 
Ev’n so your music rises. 

“Sportive waves bear it up 
And send it surging high. 

The eye, bright, full of hope, 
Encompasses the sky. 

“Enter our Spirit-Ring; 
Magic your heart shall gain, 
Hear the waves dance and sing, 

They sound like True Love’s pain. 

“Worlds came from the Ocean, 
Spirits were borne on the tide 
Which dared to cradle the High Ones, 
While the All was void. 

“As Heaven and star-glow 

Look downwards, ever glancing 
Into the waves below, 

Into the blue waves’ dancing — 

“As droplets, shivering, shaking, 
Enfold the Worlds in pride, 

The spirits’ life, awaking, 
Emerges from the tide. 

“Seeking the All inspires your 
You’d burn in song away? 

The lyre’s sweet music stirs you? 
You’d blaze in Heaven’s ray? — 

“Then come down to us all, 
And tender us your hand; 
Your limbs shall Spirit be, 
You'll see the deep, deep Land.” 

They rise up from the sea, 
Hair weaving in roundelay, 
Heads resting on the air. 
Their eyes flash blazing fires, 
And, shooting sparks, their lyres 
Glow through the waters fair. 

The Youth yields to Delusion, 
His tears flow in profusion, 
His heart pounds in his breast. 
He cannot turn away, 
Held captive in Love’s sway, 
To burning passion lost. 

Deep thoughts stir in his soul, 
It fights to gain control, 

Soars higher, ever higher, 
Looks up with prideful bearing, 
In God’s own image daring, 

And this the Sirens hear: 

“In your cold depths below 
Nothing that’s High can go, 

Nor God burn deathlessly. 
You glitter but to ensnare, 
For me you have no care, 

Your songs are mockery. 

“You lack the bosom’s beat, 
The heart’s life-givii:g heat, 
The soul’s high flight so free. 
The Gods in my breast rule, 
And I obey them all; 
I mean no treachery. 

“You shall not captivate 
Me, nor my love, nor hate, 

Nor yet my yearning’s glow. 
It shoots like lightning shafts 
That gentle power uplifts 

In melodies that flow.” 

The Sirens all sink down 
Before his blazing frown 
In weeping springs of light. 
They seek to follow him, 
But ah, the Flood so grim 
Engulfs them all from sight..