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Bessie lay in a rocky nook, Alone, beside the sea, Where the sound of ever-rolling waves To her ear came pleasantly. Her face was dark with a gloomy frown, Tears on her hot check lay; For a wilful, unkind little girl She had been that livelong day; And had stolen here, to the quiet shore, To sigh and sob alone. And to wonder how and why and where Her happiness all had flown. As thus she lay, with half-closed eyes. Low voices reached her ear. And laughter gay that seemed to flow Like ripples sweet and clear. She looked above, she looked below And saw with wondering glee Two little mermaids on the rocks, Both singing merrily. One combed her long and shining hair, All wreathed with sea-weed bright; The other caught the falling spray That leaped into the light. Friendly and fair both faces seemed, With smiling lips and eyes, And little arms and bosoms white As sea-foam when it flies. 147