A Sea-Side Wish.
The sun shines clear on the sea,
All calm beneath his ray;
And the tiny waves, with musical sound,
O’er the winding sand-beach ripple around,
And with the shingle play.
Oh! that I a mermaid were,
To sport o’er the blue expanse,
To scatter around me, in joy and delight,
A wide circle of foam-drops, sparkling bright,
And mid the free waters dance.
I’d o’er the smooth surface glide,
Like a sea-bird through the air;
And in the cool bath of the briny wave
Each languishing limb for refreshment lave,
And play in rich luxury there.
When the golden glow of morn,
Or the eve’s soft crimson beam,
Illumined the glass of the azure deep,
Should be the sweet time my revels to keep,
And sport in the ocean’s stream.
But, midst high fervours of noon,
I’d dive to the depths below,
And dwell in the cool of the rock’s deep cells,
Where lurk the rich agates and pink-valved shells,
And many-hued seaweeds grow.
Oh! that I a mermaid were,
To know all the sea’s delights,
And make its broad waters—its snowy foam—
And the calm of its dark green caves my home,
And see all its glorious sights!