Classic Poem

“What splashes so late on the sea so wide?
My daughter, dear, pray, now see.”
“'Tis the neighbor's duck that's beating the tide;
Sleep mother dear, peacefully.”

“What roars in the water with boisterous force?
Dear daughter, my fears grow strong.”
“A peasant is swimming his favorite horse;
Sleep, mother dear, sweet and long.”

“Now dreadfully roaring like storm-rage, hark!
Dear daughter, that cry of despair!”
“Nay, singing, the fisherman rows his bark;
Sleep, mother dear, free from care.”

“Oh, misery! oh, pity! out, out I must go,
Now broken my poor heart lies.”
Thus crying, the mother goes forth in her woe,
In anguish and pain she flies.

There floats a dead body toward the land
On the reed-bound edge of the sea;
Now naked it lies upon the black sand;
“Oh, merciful God! 'tis he!”

“Now, daughter, indeed, will I sleep, I'll sleep
The weary, long night away;
And sweet and long the glad rest keep
That nevermore knows the day.”