In green sea-caverns dim,

Deep down,

Foam-bearded,—gray and grim

Beneath his crown,—

He sits where sea-things swim

And dead men frown.

In green sea-caverns dim

Deep down.

Around him mermaids sing,

Foam-clad,

And comb long locks and cling,

And sing so sad

Their song's wild murmuring

Drives mortals mad.

Around him mermaids sing,

Foam-clad.

There vast the sea-snakes lair

And yawn;

Great bulks cloud by; and there

Huge shells and spawn,

Of wrecks of ships and hulls

And bones,

Sunk gold the water dulls,

And precious stones,

Anchors, and deadmen's skulls,

He builds gaunt thrones.

Of wrecks of ships and hulls

And bones.

Men's tears are dear to him,

Deep down.

Set in the foamy rim

Of his pale crown,

Their pearlÉd sorrows swim

Above his frown.

Men's tears are dear to him,

Deep down.

For him no tempests sweep

And sever

The league-long waves that leap;

The sun shines never: