Long, long on the shore, when the winds were high,
They heard from the waters the maiden’s cry.
I rede ye, damsels, as best I can—
Tread not the dance with the Water-Man!
According to other legends, however, the realm under-sea was not a place for weeping. Child-eyes beheld all that the Erl-king promised, in Goethe’s ballad—
Wilt thou go, bonny boy? wilt thou go with me?
My daughters shall wait on thee daintily;
My daughters around thee in dance shall sweep,
And rock thee and kiss thee, and sing thee to sleep!