THE MERMAIDS

Sand, sand; hills of sand;

And the wind where nothing is

Green and sweet of the land;

No grass, no trees,

No bird, no butterfly,

But hills, hills of sand,

And a burning sky.

Sea, sea, mounds of the sea,

Hollow, and dark, and blue,

Flashing incessantly

The whole sea through;

No flower, no jutting root,

Only the floor of the sea,

With foam afloat.

Blow, blow, winding shells;

And the watery fish,

Deaf to the hidden bells,

In the water splash;

No streaming gold, no eyes,

Watching along the waves,

But far-blown shells, faint bells,

From the darkling caves.