{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/boeb/boeb23.htm","path":"neu/eng/boeb/boeb23.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/boeb/boeb23.htm","text":"To yon fause stream that, near the sea,\n \u00a0\u00a0Hides mony an elf and plum,\n And rives wi' fearful din the stanes,\n \u00a0\u00a0A witless knicht did come.\nThe day shines clear--far in he's gane\n \u00a0\u00a0Whar shells are silver bright,\n Fishes war loupin' a' aroun',\n \u00a0\u00a0And sparklin' to the light.\nWhan, as he laved, sounds cam sae sweet\n \u00a0\u00a0Frae ilka rock an' tree;\n The brief was out, 'twas him it doomed\n \u00a0\u00a0The mermaid's face to see.\nFrae 'neath a rock, sune, sune she rose,\n \u00a0\u00a0And stately on she swam,\n Stopped i' the midst, and becked and sang\n \u00a0\u00a0To him to stretch his han'.\nGowden glist the yellow links\n \u00a0\u00a0That round her neck she'd twine;\n Her een war o' the skyie blue,\n \u00a0\u00a0Her lips did mock the wine;\nThe smile upon her bonnie cheek\n \u00a0\u00a0Was sweeter than the bee;\n Her voice excelled the birdie's sang\n \u00a0\u00a0Upon the birchen tree.\nSae couthie, couthie did she look,\n \u00a0\u00a0And meikle had she fleeched;\n Out shot his hand--alas! alas!\n \u00a0\u00a0Fast in the swirl he screeched.\nThe mermaid leuch, her brief was gane,\n \u00a0\u00a0And kelpie's blast was blawin',\n Fu' low she duked, ne'er raise again,\n \u00a0\u00a0For deep, deep was the fawin'.\nAboon the stream his wraith was seen,\n \u00a0\u00a0Warlochs tirled lang at gloamin';\n That e'en was coarse, the blast blew hoarse,\n \u00a0\u00a0Ere lang the waves war foamin'.","title":"A Book of Old English Ballads: The Mermaid","type":"page"}