Q

180 WHISPERS FROM FAIRVLAND. [iv.

 

hesitating and wondering, when, with a mighty effort
the creature recovered himself, and after a puff or two
which were rendered necessary by the great exertion
he had undergone, droned out, with as much gravity
as he could, the following astounding words :—

‘The Fisherman’s wife she is gone to the town,

Hey ho! sing by the sea! :

With her very best bonnet and very best gown,
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free !

The Fisherman sauntereth down to the shore,
Hey ho! sing by the sea!

Shall he ever come sauntering back any more?
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free !

~ The Fisherman lieth full length on the beach,
Hey ho ! sing by the sea !
Loud laugh the fishes, aye! all and each,
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free!

The witches are watching the crest of each wave,
Hey ho! sing by the sea!
Long have they looked for a mortal slave,
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free !
A mortal slave must the witches get,
Hey ho! sing by the sea!
To row their boat and to mend their net,
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free !
The Fisherman slumbereth, long and deep,
Hey ho! sing by the sea !
Hurra ! for the witches have caught him asleep,
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free !
They have carried him off to their sacred isle,
Hey ho! sing by the sea !
Who shall reclaim him by force or guile ?
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free !
Vainly his widow her hands may wring,
Hey ho ! sing by the sea !
But loudly the fishes will laugh and sing,
Roar away, waves, and ye winds, blow free !’