Page:Poems Charlotte Allen.djvu/141

Then come, come with me to the sea-nymph's home,
 There are brightest gems of the deep;
Now dive far within the billow's foam,
Thou 'It feel no. desire away to. roam,
 Just take at my grotto a peep.

Come, hie thee away to-the depths with me,
 Ere the light of the day hath past;
Time flies, and I linger no more for thee,
But hasten away, for I plainly see
 Night's shadows are hurrying fast.

And since you have doubted the mermaid now,
 I will put-my word to the test;
Ere twenty: more hours have marked time's brow,
I pledge thee my truth in a solemn vow,
 I will take a ship's crew to my rest.

Thus sung the sea-maid, as breasting the wave,
 Her loose tresses floated in air;
Then uttered a shriek, as a plunge she gave,
To seek 'neath the billows her rayless cave,
 For her coming guests to prepare.