THE MER-MOTHER

ne 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, Her golden hair—her golden hair. 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.