“Straight cast me again in the ocean my home,
And a well-doing man thou, I swear, shalt become.
“The Queen of the ocean my mother is, know,
She linen and bolsters on thee shall bestow.
“My father is King in the depths of the sea,
And healthy and strong he shall cause thee to be.
“My lover he sorrows for me in the brine,
My golden cloth kirtle shall also be thine.”
“For the sovereign of fishes I care not a straw,
On myself, if I did, I but laughter should draw.
“For thy mother’s fine cushions I care little more,
My own Queen could make better ware any hour.
“But if thou to a wooer thy troth didst allot,
The repose of two lovers destroy I will not.”
The trembling gold fish in the water placed he:
“From such wretched captures the Lord preserve me!
“If to-morrow a like one upon my hook bite,
I shall perish of hunger, poor miserable wight.”
He the rest of the day sat at home by his hearth
And spake not a word that repeating is worth.