C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

The Sea, II

THOU pallid fisher maiden,

That standest by the shore,

Why dost thou watch the ocean,

And hearken to its roar?

It is some Danish sailor,

That sails the Spanish main;

Nor will thy roses redden

Till he returns again.

Thou simple fisher maiden,

He cares no more for thee:

He sleeps with the mermaidens,

The witches of the sea.

Thou shouldst not watch the ocean,

And hearken to its roar,

When bridal bells are ringing

In little kirks ashore.

Go, dress thee for thy bridal:

A stalwart man like me

Is worth a thousand sailors

Whose bones are in the sea.