Page:Morning-Glories and Other Stories.djvu/161

And children, wandering on the sands.
   Saw, rising from the sea,
A little hand that beckoned them,
   As if imploringly.
They often saw a wistful face
   Look through the spray and foam;
And heard a sobbing voice that cried,
   "O mother! take me home."
So, drearily, Poor Bessie lived,
   Till to a merman old,
She one day went, when most forlorn,
   And all her sorrow told.
"If you would find your happiness,"
   The merman answering said,
"Forget yourself, and patiently
   Cheer others' grief instead.
Watch well the lives of your two friends.
   The simple difference see;
And you will need no other help,—
   No other spell from me."
Then Bessie watched with heedful eyes.
   Wondering more and more,
That she had never cared to mark
   That difference before;
For Silvertail, though fair to see.
   Was wilful, rude, and wild.
"Ah! yes," sighed Bessie, while she looked,
   "As I was, when a child."
She led an idle, selfish life.
   Darkened by discontent;
And left a shadow or a tear
   Behind, where'er she went
But Goldfin, with her loving heart,
   So cheerful and serene,
Left smiles, kind words, and happy thoughts
   Wherever she had been.
No little fish but came to her
   To heal its wounded fin;
No monster grim but opened wide
   His cave to let her in.