"Once she sat with you and me,
On a red gold throne in the heart of the sea,
And the youngest sate on her knee.
She comb'd its bright hair, and she tended it well,
when down swun the sound of the far off bell.
She sigh'd, she look'd up through the dear green sea;
She said:"I must go, for my kinsfolk pray
In the little grey church on the shore today.
"Twill be Easter-time in the world- ah me!
And I lose my poor soul, Merman ,here with thee."
I said:"Go up, dear heart, through the waves.
Say thy prayer, and come back to the kind sea caves."
She smiled she went up through the surf in the bay,
Children dear, was it yesterday?"