  One day, walking by the sea, I heard a sweet voice calling me: I looked—but nothing could I see; I listened—but no more I heard; Only the sea and the sea-bird And the blue sky were there with me. But on another happier day, When all the sea was sun and spray, And laughing shout of wind and foam, I seemed to hear the voice once more,— Wilder and sweeter than before, O wild as love and sweet as home. I looked, and lo! before me there A maiden sat in seaweeds drest, Sea-flowers hiding in her breast, And with a comb of deep-sea pearl She combed, like any other girl, And, as each shining yellow curl Flickered like sunshine through the pearl, She laughed and sang—but not for me: Three little babies of the sea Were diving in and out for joy— Two mer-girls and a small mer-boy. That fairy song was not for me, Nor those green eyes, nor that gold hair; Deep in the caves beneath the foam There was a husband and a home— It was a mermaid taking care Of her small children of the sea. Decorative chapter end |
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