The Sea Princess

: VERSES ABOUT FAIRIES
: Boys And Girls Bookshelf

In a palace of pearl and sea-weed,

Set round with shining shells,

Under the deeps of the ocean,

The little Sea Princess dwells.



Sometimes she sees the shadows

Of great whales passing by,

Or white-winged vessels sailing

Between the sea and sky.



And when through the waves she rises,

Beyond the breakers' roar,< r />
She hears the shouts of the children

At play on the sandy shore.



Or 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 sea-weed 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 Sea 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 sea-weed

The Princess is rocked to sleep.