But, ah, alas! the wampum to make him all her own.

She did not have the needful, for she had poorly grown;

And often on the placid Lake, within her log canoe.

She pondered long and deeply on just what she should do.

One day, when very sad indeed, a long way out from shore,

She sighed—she felt just then more sad than e'er she felt before;

Just then a Fish of monstrous size jumped from the water out.

And, balanc'd nicely on his tail, asked what she was about.

At such a sight she fainted, yet still she did not fall,

But straightway told her sorrows, she told him of them all,

The Fish he wagged his little fin, and shook his pointed nose,

And said, "My darling Maiden, into my mouth you goes!"

Now, who would think a maiden of two and twenty years,

Would step into a fish's mouth without the slightest fears!

But so great was her desire her object to attain,

That she treated anything like fear with feelings of disdain.

Down came the Fish's lower jaw upon her light canoe,

He asked her if that ladder would answer for her shoe;

Then tripping up it lightly, she spied a splendid seat,

With wampum it was cover'd—her lover's it would beat.

Back came that self same lower jaw, without the slightest jar,

No one could treat her better, not e'en her dear Papa;

The Fish he told her plainly to his Mistress she must go,

She was a lovely Fairy, and she lived right down below.

He said that she was very kind, and beautiful, and great.

And dwelt within her watery home in rich and royal state.

That she wanted Li–Lamboni her dominions all to know.

So she sent her dear Fish Monster, to bring her down below.

Scarcely was she seated in the regal wampum chair.

Thinking of the Fairy Queen, when she was almost there;

And soon her fine Fish Monster drew down his under jaw

A Sea–Lion from ocean deep held out his ugly paw.

She tripped down quite gracefully and took the Lion's paw,

But I really cannot tell you all the riches that she saw:

On her right, there was a Grotto with gates of solid gold,

Guarded by a Devil Fish—to meet him would be bold.

On her left, a Fairy Palace, its walls of silver bright,

Its windows set with diamonds, which shone both day and night;

Its doors were made of jasper, its steps of onyx fine—

A worker up of cameo would think he'd found a mine.

The Lion touched her lightly, and she took his shaggy arm.

She felt while she was with him he'd shield her from all harm;

They tripped nimbly up the steps—he touched a little slide,

And almost in an instant the door was open'd wide.

A Water–Lily met them and passed her through the hall,—

So rich I'd fain describe it, but can't do so at all;—

Then to the audience chamber, with all things bright and airy,

There, right upon a golden throne, sat San