Sailor (Howard)

I saw a mermaid sporting in the bay, Far down, far down where blew no roaring gale; About her snowy shoulders flashed the spray, The waves played emerald at her sinewy tail; She swam a jade and golden, star-set way, Where all the rainbow colors seemed to play&mdash; She vanished at the Swedish captain's hail Who bid me go to Hell and furl a sail.