By the Sea.

I am longing to dwell by the sea,         And dip in the surf every day,     And - height of subaqueous glee -         With the sharks and the porpoises play.     To novelty ever inclined -         Instead of a calm evening sail,     'Twould suit my adventurous mind         To ride on the back of a whale.     I want to disport on the rocks         Like a mythical mermaiden belle,     And comb out my watery locks,         Then dive to my cavernous cell.     I want to discover what lends         Such terror to all timid folks -     That serpent whose mystery tends         To make one believe it a hoax.     They say he's been captured at last;         The news is too good to be true -     He's slippery, cunning, and fast,         And likes notoriety too.     Once had I such longings to be         A sailor - those wishes are o'er,     But ever in dreams of the sea         My horoscope rests on the shore.     Oh, give me a home by the sea -         A cottage, a cabin, a tent!     Existence should ecstasy be         Till summer were joyfully spent.