Page:Morning-Glories and Other Stories.djvu/160

Rh Then bitter, salt sea-drops they gave, From out a hollow shell; And garlands fair upon her head, They laid, with song and spell. A cloud arose, like sudden mist; And, when it passed, the child Found herself, by drop and garland, Changed to a mermaid wild. With timid haste she glided down Into the cold, cold sea; And bid her playmates show her where Her future home would be. Down deep into the ocean went The mermaids, one and all, O'er many a wondrous hill and dale, Through many a coral hall. The child's heart in the mermaid's form Beat fast with sudden fear; For all was gloomy, strange, and dim Beneath the waters clear. She missed the blessed air of heaven; She missed the cheerful light, She feared the monsters weird, who looked From caverns dark as night; Her food was now sea-apples cold, And bitter spray she drank; Her bed was made on barren rocks, Of sea-moss, rough and dank; Strange creatures floated far and near, Or crawled upon the sand; And soon she longed with all her heart For the green, summery land. Here Bessie lived; but daily grew More restless than before, And sighed to be a child again,— Safe on the pleasant shore. She often rose up to the light, A human voice to hear; And look upon her happy home,— That now seemed very dear.