The Sea-Fairies

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Narrative Poem
Slow saild the weary mariners and saw, Betwixt the green brink and the running foam, Sweet faces, rounded arms, and bosoms prest To little harps of gold; and while they mused, Whispering to each other half in fear, Shrill music reachd them on the middle sea. Whither away, whither away, whither away? fly no more. Whither away, from the high green field, and the happy blossoming shore? Day and night to the billow the fountain calls; Down shower the gambolling waterfalls From wandering over the lea; Out of the live-green heart of the dells They freshen the silvery-crimson shells, And thick with white bells the clover-hill swells High over the full-toned sea. O, hither, come hither and furl your sails, Come hither to me and to me; Hither, come hither and frolic and play; Here it is only the mew that wails; We will sing to you all the day. Mariner, mariner, furl your sails, For here are the blissful downs and dales, And merrily, merrily carol the gales, And the spangle dances in bight and bay, And the rainbow forms and flies on the land Over the islands free; And the rainbow lives in the curve of the sand; Hither, come hither and see; And the rainbow hangs on the poising wave, And sweet is the color of cove and cave, And sweet shall your welcome be. O, hither, come hither, and be our lords, For merry brides are we. We will kiss sweet kisses, and speak sweet words; O, listen, listen, your eyes shall glisten With pleasure and love and jubilee. O, listen, listen, your eyes shall glisten When the sharp clear twang of the golden chords Runs up the ridged sea. Who can light on as happy a shore All the world oer, all the world oer? Whither away? listen and stay; mariner, mariner, fly no more.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Narrative Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, with its hypnotic rhythm and vivid, striking imagery, creates an enticing, dreamlike world that overlaps the natural and supernatural realms. The main theme revolves around the tempting call of the unknown, embodied in the siren-like figures who invite the mariners to abandon their journey and join them in their blissful, magical realm.

The tone of the poem is both enticing and foreboding. The sirens' call is compelling, full of promise of pleasure, love, and jubilee. This is contrasted with the mariners' half-fear, suggesting an underlying danger in succumbing to this call. The repetition of the phrase "whither away" adds to the sense of allure and mystery and emphasizes the hypnotic power of the sirens' song.

The poem's structure also highlights its themes. The constant alternation between the sirens' call and descriptions of their enchanting world creates a sense of back-and-forth that mirrors the mariners' dilemma. The repeated use of the word "hither" also gives a sense of drawing in, of irresistible attraction.

The poem is rich in literary devices, including personification ("the fountain calls"), alliteration ("merrily, merrily carol the gales"), and vivid, colorful imagery ("the rainbow forms and flies on the land"). These elements work together to create a lush, vivid, and deeply enticing world that is both beautiful and potentially perilous.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.