“I dwelt in the sea eight years and more;
Seven sons so fair I to the merman bore.”
“Tell me, dear daughter, and fear no blame,
What did he give for thy maiden fame?”
“He gave me a ring of golden sheen—
Never a better one hath the queen.
“Of golden shoon he gave me a pair—
Never a better the queen may wear.
“He gave me a harp of gold so gay,
That I might play upon, to drive my cares away.”
The merman he made him a path so straight
Up from the strand to the kirkyard gate.
Into the kirk he went, that selfsame day,
And all the holy images, they turned their heads away.
Like the red, red gold was his shining hair;
His eyes were full of sorrow and care.
“Hearken now, Agnes, hearken unto me!
All thy little children are longing after thee.”
“Let them long as they will, yea, let them long so sore!
I shall return to them never more.”