It seemed to the children that the whole world had fallen into a peaceful slumber, and was dreaming a beautiful dream. Nothing moved, nothing stirred but the heat that danced on the hazy ocean.
Without a visible movement of his mighty wings, the Albatross glided calmly along, gazing dreamily at his reflection in the water below.
Then, without warning, from the shimmering waves came the words of a mysterious song!
Very faint, at first—like the dream-voices of fairies—it grew louder, until they could catch the words clearly—
“Albatross! Albatross!
Where are you flying?
Stay here, we pray you,
We’ll take no denying.
Beautiful bird,
With a wonderful motion,