The water rushes—the water foams <br />A fisherman sat on the bank, <br />And calmly gazed on his flowing line, <br />As it down in the deep wave sank, <br />The water rushes—the water foams <br />The bright waves part asunder, <br />And with wondering eyes he sees arise <br />A nymph from the caverns under. <br /> <br />She sprang to him—she sang to him <br />Ah! wherefore dost thou tempt <br />With thy deadly food, my bright-scaled brood <br />From out their crystal element? <br />Could’st thou but know our joy below, <br />Thou would’st leave the harsh, cold land, <br />And dwell in our caves ’neath the glittering waves, <br />As lord of our sparkling band. <br /> <br />See you not now the bright sun bow <br />To gaze on his form here; <br />And the pale moon’s face wears a softer grace <br />In the depths of our silver sphere. <br />See the fleecy shroud of the azure cloud <br />In the heaven beneath the sea; <br />And look at thine eyes, what a glory lies <br />In their lustre. Come, look with me. <br /> <br />The water rushes—the water foams <br />The cool wave kiss’d his feet. <br />The maiden’s eyes were like azure skies, <br />And her voice was low and sweet. <br /> <br />She sung to him—she clung to him <br />O’er the glittering stream they lean; <br />Half drew she him, half sunk he in, <br />And never more was seen.<br /><br />Lady Jane Wilde<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-fisherman-20/
