MATTHEW ARNOLD

747. The Forsaken Merman

��dear children, let us away; Down and away below. Now my brothers call from the bay; Now the great winds shoreward blow ; Now the salt tides seaward flow ; Now the wild white horses play, Champ and chafe and toss in the spray. Children dear, let us away. This way, this way !

Call her once before you go.

Call once yet. In a voice that she will know:

i Margaret ! Margaret ! ' Children's voices should be dear (Call once more) to a mother's ear; Children's voices, wild with pain. Surely she will come again. Call her once and come away.

This way, this way ! 'Mother dear, we cannot stay/ The wild white horses foam and fret.

Margaret ! Margaret !

Come, dear children, come away down.

Call no more.

One last look at the white-wall'd town, And the little grey church on the windy shore.

Then come down.

She will not come though you call all day. Come away, come away.

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