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by Katherine Mansfield (1888 - 1923)

The Sea called‑‑I lay on the rocks and...
Language: English 
The Sea called--I lay on the rocks and said:
"I am come."
She mocked and showed her teeth,
Stretching out her long green arms.
"Go away!" she thundered.
"Then tell me what I am to do," I begged.
"If I leave you, you will not be silent,
But cry my name in the cities
And wistfully entreat me in the plains and forests;
All else I forsake to come to you--what must I do?"
"Never have I uttered your name," snarled the Sea.
"There is no more of me in your body
Than the little salt tears you are frightened of shedding.
What can you know of my love on your brown rock pillow....
Come closer."

About the headline (FAQ)

Confirmed with Katherine Mansfield, The Complete Works of Katherine Mansfield, Good Press, 2024


Text Authorship:

  • by Katherine Mansfield (1888 - 1923), "Sea" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Jodi Goble (b. 1974), "The Sea" [ soprano and piano ], from Sea Creatures, no. 1 [sung text not yet checked]

Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2025-10-09
Line count: 15
Word count: 116

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