The Forest and the Sea

In western isle across the sea,

Where men from shadow long were free,

There dwelled a young adventurer fair

Whose line was noble, but whose care

Was ever for the rolling waves

And sailing into break of day.

Fair ships he built, as never seen

Before his time; and evergreen

He planted o’er the island vales,

That generations hence might sail

In frigates made from timber strong,

To seek the lands names oft in song.

Upon the isle, a maiden lived

Within the vales, like treasure hid,

Who loved the woods and all that grew,

And how leaves sprung each year anew;

She cared not for the ocean’s song

And said ‘twould weary her ‘ere long.

The maiden and the youth would wed,

He’d place a crown upon her head

And seek to grant her every wish,

Yet one thing she’d not bear; ’twas this:

That trees be felled for mast and stern,

And ships go out that not return.

So as the years passed, hearts grew sad,

For love of forests both they had;

But one loved what the timber made,

The other, woods, as tall they stayed,

Within the isle of starlit sheen

Where trees were borne upon the sea.