Who could help but look with gladness
On such beauty? though within,
Deep within the beryl sadness
Of those eyes, the serpent sin
Coil?--When she hath placed her cheek
Chilly upon his, and weak,
With love longing and its madness,
Is his will grown, then she'll speak:

"Dost thou love me?"--"If surrender
Is to love thee, then I love."--
"Hast no fear then?"--"In the splendor
Of thy gaze who knows thereof?
Yet I fear--I fear to lose
Thee, thy love!"--"And thou dost choose
Aye to be my heart's defender?"--
"Take me. I am thine to use."

"Follow then. Ah, love, no lowly
Home I give thee."--With fixed eyes,
To the water's edge she slowly
Drew him.... And he did surmise
'Twas her lips on his, until
O'er his face the foam closed chill,
Whisp'ring, and the lake unholy
Rippled, rippled and was still."

-The Water Witch by Madison Cawein