The sunset sea—a goblet thick inlaid

With jewels wrought in golden filigree,

An opal from some elfin treasury

Burning with fire and flashing every shade;

While round the dim horizon, wide displayed

The clouds pile up their largess tenderly

As if to clothe the beauty of the sea

In filmy gossamer and soft brocade.

And far away I think I almost hear

A horn’s faint echo through the dusk-hour’s veil

As in the happy, golden days of yore—

Mayhap, e’en now upon this magic mere

Frail shallops will flit by and mermaids pale

Will lure us back to fairy-land once more!