VI.

Young Neuha plunged into the deep, and he Followed: her track beneath her native sea Was as a native's of the element, So smoothly--bravely--brilliantly she went, Leaving a streak of light behind her heel, Which struck and flashed like an amphibious steel, 110 Closely, and scarcely less expert to trace The depths where divers hold the pearl in chase, Torquil, the nursling of the northern seas, Pursued her liquid steps with heart and ease. Deep--deeper for an instant Neuha led The way--then upward soared--and as she spread Her arms, and flung the foam from off her locks, Laughed, and the sound was answered by the rocks. They had gained a central realm of earth again, But looked for tree, and field, and sky, in vain. 120 Around she pointed to a spacious cave, Whose only portal was the keyless wave,[403] (A hollow archway by the sun unseen, Save through the billows' glassy veil of green, In some transparent ocean holiday, When all the finny people are at play,) Wiped with her hair the brine from Torquil's eyes, And clapped her hands with joy at his surprise; Led him to where the rock appeared to jut, And form a something like a Triton's hut; 130 For all was darkness for a space, till day, Through clefts above let in a sobered ray; As in some old cathedral's glimmering aisle The dusty monuments from light recoil, Thus sadly in their refuge submarine The vault drew half her shadow from the scene.