The Sea Princess

In a palace of pearl and seaweed,

Set around with shining shells,

Under the deeps of the ocean,

The little sea princess dwells.

Sometimes she sees the shadow

Of a great whale passing by,

Or a white-winged vessel sailing

Between the sea and sky.

And when through the waves she rises,

Beyond the breakers' roar

She hears the shouts of the children

At play on the sandy shore;

And sees the ships' sides tower

Above like a wet black wall;

Or shouts to the roaring breakers,

And answers the sea gull's call.

But down in the quiet waters

Better she loves to play,

Making a seaweed garden,

Purple and green and gray;

Stringing with pearls a necklace,

Or learning curious spells

From the water witch, gray and ancient,

And hearing the tales she tells.

Out in the stable her sea horse

Champs in his crystal stall,

And fishes with scales that glisten

Come leaping forth at her call.

So the little princess

Is busy and happy all day

Just as the human children

Are busy and happy at play.

And when the darkness gathers

Over the lonely deep,

On a bed of velvet seaweed

The princess is rocked to sleep.