The Poetry Corner

The Changeling

By Walter De La Mare

"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.