Erwin E. Harder

“ Seek ye a weapon,
Be brave, be brave.
OWONDLO.
Those fish that are so bold,
With yet no weapon for defense,
Make my thoughts aflame,
While my blood runs cold.
But on I will search,
A weapon for defense.
(Owondlo spies five Sea Nymphs enjoying themselves ; he hides and watches them)
OWONDLO.
What now behold,
This merry feast.
They laugh, they sing,
They joke in secret,
Ten thousand ways untold.
Ha ! ha ! They smack their lips
And dine on sea currants,
From Nature's hidden garden.
(1st Sea Nymph walks proudly about)
OWONDLO.
How fair she is? ”

“ OWONDLO.
Quite stunning indeed.
2ND SEA NYMPH.
Listen! Hush!
Be not so loud.
The sea life here
Can hear our sounds
For many miles around.
}}
OWONDLO.
I'm almost tempted
To go within.
3RD SEA NYMPH.
No one has ever ventured within.
4TH SEA NYMPH.
And who could come within?
5TH SEA NYMPH.
Unless by magic.
FIVE SEA NYMPHS.
The sea, the sea,
That in magic sways,
Has thousands of tales untold.
Where plant life invites one
To reap its fruit,
And, then quickly betrays.
OWONDLO.
I'll be careful now what kind. ”

“ They entered the staterooms,
In search of diamonds and gold.
If I could win those Nymphs
To be my wives,
I would try and coax them
To flee with me,
To the upper world,
To keep them for
My enchanted brides. ”