The Sun-god was reclining on a couch of rosy shells,
And in the foamy waters Nereids tinkled silver bells,
That lent the soft air sweetness, like an echoed seraph-song,
Floating with snow-flake hush the aisles of Paradise along.
The Sun-god wove bright flowers, gold and purple in their hue,
And to the smiling Nereids tenderly the blossoms threw;
The sapphire seas were shadowy, like an eye with dreamy thought,
Where all the soul’s mute rapture--a prisoned star--is caught.
The billows’ rainbow splendor, like a strange enchanting dream,
In fading, softened slowly to a trembling pearly gleam;
And soon the wondrous Sun-god, and the Nereids and the sea
Had vanished; one gray-tinted cloud alone remained for me.