Firiel looked out at three o'clock
The grey night was going
Far away a golden cock
Clear and shrill was crowing

The trees were dark, and the dawn pale
Waking birds were cheeping
A wind moved cool and frail
Through dim leaves creeping

She watched the gleam at window grow
Till the long light was shimmering
On land and leaf; on grass below
Grey dew was glimmering

Over the floor her white feet crept
Down the stair they twinkled
Through the grass they dancing stepped
All with dew besprinkled

Her gown had jewels upon its hem
As she ran down to the river
And leaned upon a willow-stem
And watched the water quiver

A kingfisher plunged down like a stone
In a blue flash falling
Bending reeds were softly blown
Lily-leaves were sprawling
A sudden music to her came
As she stood there gleaming
With fair hair in the morning's flame
On her shoulders streaming

Flutes were there, and harps were wrung
And there was sound of singing
Like wind-voices keen and young
And far bells ringing

With harp in hand they sang their song
To the slow oars swinging
'Green is the land, the leaves are long
And the birds are singing

'Many a day with dawn of gold
This earth will lighten
Many a flower will yet unfold
Ere the cornfields whiten

'Then whither go ye, boatmen fair
Down the river gliding?
To twilight and to secret lair
In the great forest hiding?

To Northern isles and shores of stone
On strong swans flying
By cold waves to dwell alone
With the white gulls crying?'
The oars were stayed. They turned aside
'Do you hear the call, Earth-maiden?
Firiel! Firiel!' they cried
'Our ship is not full-laden

'One more only we may bear
Come! For your days are speeding
Come! Earth-maiden elven-fair
Our last call heeding'

Firiel looked from the river-bank
One step daring
Then deep in clay her feet sank
And she halted staring

She donned her smock of russet brown
Her long hair braided
And to her work came stepping down
Soon the sunlight faded