Inspire me Lewis, while I sing
Of th’ enamour’d “Water King”
Or rather, do thou tell the tale
Of the lady’s stolen veil,
Thou know’s to mix thy lore terrific,
As ’Pothecaries mix their physic,
And to disguise what’s pois’nous in’t
Thou puttest romantic peppermint.
Of thee in vain, the boon I ask,
Then I must undertake the task.
Now water kelpies round me rise
And glare upon me with their eyes!
Down yelping fiends, while I unfold
The tale ye wish not to be told.
But out alas! my wits they scare
I cannot stand their horrid stare!
They threaten me with open jaws
(And much I fear their teeth & claws.)
If I their thieving pranks should tell
In cities I must ever dwell,
And never on the water’s brink
Dare with “the Muse to sit & think.”
But though I must not, dare not say
What happen’d but the other day
I sure may give a hint or so
To warn the ladies where they go!
Ye damsels who approach the sea
And think yourselves at liberty
To pick up mussel-shells & shrimps
Bethink ye of the water imps!
Who watch at their stern king’s behest
For lady who may please him best
Who when at last they think they’ve found
In form of zephyr’s they surround
In seeming wanton play they steal
Some riband, or perhaps a veil!
And if the last, no hand can save her
The Water King is sure to have her!
It binds her to him like a spell
He bears her to his rocky cell!
And ah! dear lady who can help ye
When married to grim water kelpie!!!