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Poem
October 21, 1822
The Alexandria Herald
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A narrative poem titled 'THE MERMAID' from the Charleston Courier, describing the origin of a mermaid born to a woman who died at sea, cradled by waves, granted human features by heaven but fish-like below, living contentedly among sea vestals, singing to ships.
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THE FOUNT.
From the Charleston Courier.
THE MERMAID.
Child of neither land nor sea,
Yet to both of these allied,
Offspring of a fair lady,
Who in depth of ocean died,
Wretched on her coral bed,
Far beneath the purple sea,
Ere the vital spark had fled,
Thus my mother prayed for me :
Gracious heaven let one atone,
Seal my aching eyes in night,
Save my little unborn one,
Let my orphan see the light-
Cradled in the stormy wave,
Fishes watched my infant sleep;
Nursed upon my mother's grave,
God preserved me in the deep.
Human head and hands and heart,
Heaven in mercy gave to me,
Still that I might seem a part
Of the human family.
Yet to fit me for the cave
Whence the ocean fountains flow
Safely to o'ercome the wave--
Made me like a fish below.
Not like ladies of the air,
Safe I am from the ways of men,
Never yet knew I the care
To dress and to undress again.
Many such as me there are,
Vestals of the virgin billows
Neither envy nor despair
Mar us on our sedgy pillow.
Sing we in the soothing strain,
When the bark securely flies,
Mourn we in the howling main,
When the gallant vessel dies.
From the Charleston Courier.
THE MERMAID.
Child of neither land nor sea,
Yet to both of these allied,
Offspring of a fair lady,
Who in depth of ocean died,
Wretched on her coral bed,
Far beneath the purple sea,
Ere the vital spark had fled,
Thus my mother prayed for me :
Gracious heaven let one atone,
Seal my aching eyes in night,
Save my little unborn one,
Let my orphan see the light-
Cradled in the stormy wave,
Fishes watched my infant sleep;
Nursed upon my mother's grave,
God preserved me in the deep.
Human head and hands and heart,
Heaven in mercy gave to me,
Still that I might seem a part
Of the human family.
Yet to fit me for the cave
Whence the ocean fountains flow
Safely to o'ercome the wave--
Made me like a fish below.
Not like ladies of the air,
Safe I am from the ways of men,
Never yet knew I the care
To dress and to undress again.
Many such as me there are,
Vestals of the virgin billows
Neither envy nor despair
Mar us on our sedgy pillow.
Sing we in the soothing strain,
When the bark securely flies,
Mourn we in the howling main,
When the gallant vessel dies.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Song
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Mermaid
Ocean Birth
Divine Preservation
Sea Vestals
Ship Songs
What entities or persons were involved?
From The Charleston Courier
Poem Details
Title
The Mermaid.
Author
From The Charleston Courier
Key Lines
Child Of Neither Land Nor Sea,
Yet To Both Of These Allied,
Offspring Of A Fair Lady,
Who In Depth Of Ocean Died,
Gracious Heaven Let One Atone,
Seal My Aching Eyes In Night,
Save My Little Unborn One,
Let My Orphan See The Light
God Preserved Me In The Deep.
Sing We In The Soothing Strain,
When The Bark Securely Flies,
Mourn We In The Howling Main,
When The Gallant Vessel Dies.