As it came and caressed and possessed them, till panting
⁠and laughing with light
From mountain to mountain the water was kindled and
⁠stung to delight.
And the grey gaunt heights that embraced and constrained
⁠and compelled it were glad,
And the rampart of rock, stark naked, that thwarted and
⁠barred it, was clad
With a stern grey splendour of sunrise: and scarce had
⁠I sprung to the sea
When the dawn and the water were wedded, the hills
⁠and the sky set free.
The chain of the night was broken: the waves that
⁠embraced me and smiled
And flickered and fawned in the sunlight,
⁠alive, unafraid, undefiled,
Were sweeter to swim in than air, though fulfilled with
⁠the mounting morn,
Could be for the birds whose triumph rejoiced that a
⁠day was born.