Talk about lazy time!—

Come to this sunny clime—

Life is flowing rhyme—

Pleasant its cadence

Zephyrs are blowing free

Over the summer sea,

Sprinkling deliciously

Merry Mermaidens!

Despite the torrid heat,

Toilettes are quite complete;

White are the little feet,

Fair are the tresses:

Maidens here swim or sink,

Clad in blue serge—I think

Some are in mauve or pink—

Gay are the dresses!

If you know EtretÂt,

You'll know M'sieu lÀ—

Oh, such a strong papa!—

Ever out boating.

You'll know his babies too,

Toto and Lolalou,

All the long morning through

Diving and floating.

Oh what a merry crew!

Fresh from the water blue,

Rosy and laughing too—

Daring and dripping!

Look at each merry mite,

Held up a dizzy height,

Laughing from sheer delight—

Fearless of slipping!

He hath a figure grand—

Note, as he takes his stand,

Poised upon either hand,

Merry young mer-pets:

Drop them! You strong papa,

Swim back to EtretÂt!

Here comes their dear mamma,

Seeking for her pets!