midnight
There , within their secret cares , I hear the mighty rivers roar ; And guide their streams through Neptune 's waves To bless the green earth 's inmost shore : And bid the freshen 'd waters glide , For fern-crown 'd nymphs of lake , or brook , Through winding woods and pastures wide , And many a wild , romantic nook . For this the nymphs , at fall of eave , Oft dance upon the flow ' ry banks , And sing my name , and garlands weave To bear beneath the wave their thanks . In coral bow ' rs I love to lie , And hear the surges roll above , And through the waters view on high The proud ships sail , and gay clouds move . And oft at midnight 's stillest hour , When summer seas the vessel lave , I love to prove my charmful pow ' r While floating on the moonlight wave . And when deep sleep the crew has bound , And the sad lover musing leans O'er the ship 's side , I breathe around Such strains as speak no mortal means ! O'er the dim waves his searching eye Sees but the vessel 's lengthen 'd shade ; Above -- the moon and azure sky ; Entranc 'd he hears , and half afraid ! Sometimes , a single note I swell , That , softly sweet , at distance dies ; Then wake the magic of my shell , And choral voices round me rise !