1826.
The Merman up to the church door came;
His eyes they shone like a yellow flame;His face was white, and his beard was green—
A fairer demon was never seen.“Now, Agnes, Agnes, list to me,
Thy babes are longing so after thee.”“I cannot come yet, here must I stay
Until the priest shall have said his say.”
1854.
In at the door the Merman treads—
Away the images turned their heads.His face was white, his beard was green,
His eyes were full of love, I ween.“Hear, Agnes, hear! ’tis time for thee
To come to thy home below the sea.”“I cannot come yet, I here must stay,
Until the priest has said his say.”
Danish Traditions and Superstitions. A Prose Essay. Parts v, vi, and vii.
(7) The Monthly Magazine, Vol. lx, 1825.
Pp. 296–297 [291] and 424–425.
Danish Traditions and Superstitions. A Prose Essay. Parts viii and ix.