Classic Poem

Variations by Hypercriticus Minimus

The water rush'd the water swell'd;
A Fisher floating there
Calm gaz'd upon the hooks he held;
Felt little joy or care.

Cool to the heart, no heed he gave
But to his flick'ring lines;
When lo! uprising from the wave
A beauteous mermaid shines.

She softly spoke, she softly sang,
" Ah cruel! wherefore wish
With wit of man and wiles of man
To lure my harmless fish?

Coudst thou but know how merry plays
The Minnow down below,
Thou'dst haste with me where pleasure stays
To hide from toil and woe.

Bends not the Moon to dip, — the Sun
Wave-gilding, in the Main?
And doubly bright their race to run
Return they not again?

Does Heaven's vast dome not lure thee
Here glass'd in lucid blue?
Does not thy face here shadow'd lure th[ee]
Down to eternal dew? "

The water rush'd, the water swell'd,
It lav'd his naked foot;
His heart with fond desire was fill'd
As at love's soft salute.

She sang, she charm'd tho' awing h[im]
More wild his bosom burn'd;
Half leaning — she half drawing him
He sank and ne'er return'd.