The western wind is blowing fair
Across the dark Ægean sea
And at the secret marble stair
My Tyrian galley waits for thee
Come down! the purple sail is spread
The watchman sleeps within the town
O leave thy lily-flowered bed
O Lady mine come down, come down!

She will not come, I know her well
Of lover's vows she hath no care
And little good a man can tell
Of one so cruel and so fair
True love is but a woman's toy
They never know the lover's pain
And I who loved as loves a boy
Must love in vain, must love in vain

O noble pilot tell me true
Is that the sheen of golden hair?
Or is it but the tangled dew
That binds the passion-flowers there?
Good sailor come and tell me now
Is that my Lady's lily hand?
Or is it but the gleaming prow
Or is it but the silver sand?
No! no! 'tis not the tangled dew
'Tis not the silver-fretted sand
It is my own dear Lady true
With golden hair and lily hand!
O noble pilot steer for Troy
Good sailor ply the labouring oar
This is the Queen of life and joy
Whom we must bear from Grecian shore!

The waning sky grows faint and blue
It wants an hour still of day
Aboard! aboard! my gallant crew
O Lady mine away! away!
O noble pilot steer for Troy
Good sailor ply the labouring oar
O loved as only loves a boy!
O loved for ever evermore!