THE NIXIE
Up through the water see her rise,
The nixie with her sea-green eyes.
ONCE John and Jane were playing
Beside a shining lake
When suddenly the waters
Began to stir and shake.
And up there rose a nixie
From out the waters green.
She was the strangest looking thing
She called the children gently.
She coaxed them, “Come with me,
And I will show you castles,
And gardens fair to see.”
“Our mother’s often told us,”
The children both replied,
“We must not go with strangers,
Or evil may betide.”
But still the nixie coaxed them.
“Come see my lovely things.
I’ll show you strings of shining shells,
And fishes that have wings.”
She took them by their shoulders,
She took them by the hands,
She drew them down beneath the lake
To where her castle stands.
But now the nixie had them
She lost her pleasant smile.
She set the children both to work
And scolded all the while.
“Now scrub about, and sweep about,
And fill the iron pot,
And hang it up above the fire
To make the water hot.
“No idling now, you lazy ones;
Be quick and stir your feet,
The while I go outside a bit
And catch some fish to eat.”
Soon as the nixie leaves them
The children set to work.
Indeed they’re both so frightened
They do not dare to shirk.
Just as the work is finished
The nixie comes once more,
And leaves a trail of water
Across the kitchen floor.
Her net is full of fishes.
“Here, child! be quick,” cries she,
“Now clean these fish and cook them,
And serve them up to me.”
Quick little Janie sets to work,
She cooks the fish in haste,
The greedy nixie eats them all;
She does not leave a taste.
Then after she has finished
She lies down on the bed,
And snores so loud the rafters
Are shaken overhead.
Then Janie beckons Johnnie,
And whispers in his ear,
“Now, John, I’m going to run away.
I will not stay down here.”
But little John is frightened.
“Oh dear! I’d be afraid.
I know she’d come and catch us,
This cruel water-maid.”
“But I’ve a plan,” says Janie,
“It just came in my head.
We’ll take the nixie’s fishing-net
And tie her down in bed.
“Be quick or she may waken,
We have no time to waste.”
So now the little children
Have set to work in haste.
They wrap her net about her,
They tie her tight in bed.
Now, even if she wakened
She scarce could lift her head!
“So there! that job is finished,”
Cries little Jane with glee.
“Unless someone unties her
She never can get free.”
Now quick the little children
Run tip-toe out the door,
And never stop nor turn about
Till they are home once more.
But for the cruel nixie,
Whether she’s still in bed,
Or whether she has wriggled out
No one has ever said.
