The Sea Angler

There was a gentle angler who was angling in the sea
With heart as cold as only heart untaught of love can be
When suddenly the water rushed and swelled and up there sprang
A humid maid of beauty's mold and thus to him she sang
Why dost thou strive so artfully to lure my brood away
And leave them to die beneath the sun's all scorching ray?
Couldst thou but tell how happy are the fish that swim below?
Thou wouldst with me taste of joy which earth can never know
The water rushed the water swelled and touched his naked feet
And fancy whispered to his heart it was a love pledge sweet
She sang another siren lay more 'witching than before
Half-pulled half-plunging down he sank and ne'er was heard of more