Between the Sunset and the Sea

BY ALDERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Between the sunset and the sea

my love laid hands and lips on me

Of sweet came sour, of day came night

of long desire came brief delight

Ah love, and what thing came of thee

between the sunset and the sea?

Between the sea-mark and the sea

joy grew to grief, grief grew to me

Love turned to tears, and tears to fire

and dead delight to new desire

Love's talk, love's touch there seemed to be

between the sea-sand and the sea

Between the sundown and the sea

love watched one hour of love with me

Then down the all-golden water-ways

his feet flew after yesterdays

I saw them come and saw them flee

between the sea-foam and the sea

Between the sea-strand and the sea

love fell on sleep, sleep fell on me

The first star saw twain turn to one

between the moonrise and the sun

The next that saw not love, saw me

between the sea-banks and the sea