"I've been, oh, sweet daughter,

  "To fountain and sea,

"To seek in their water

  "Some bright gem for thee.

"Where diamonds were sleeping,

  "Their sparkle I sought,

"Where crystal was weeping,

  "Its tears I have caught.

"The sea-nymph I've courted

  "In rich coral halls;

"With Naiads have sported

  "By bright waterfalls.

"But sportive or tender,

  "Still sought I around

"That gem, with whose splendor

  "Thou yet shalt be crowned.

"And see, while I'm speaking,

  "Yon soft light afar;—

"The pearl I've been seeking

  "There floats like a star!

"In the deep Indian Ocean

  "I see the gem shine,

"And quick as light's motion

  "Its wealth shall be thine."

Then eastward, like lightning,

  The hero-god flew,

His sunny looks brightening

  The air he went thro'.

And sweet was the duty,

  And hallowed the hour,

Which saw thus young Beauty

  Embellished by Power.

[1] Founded on the fable reported by Arrian (in Indicis) of Hercules having searched the Indian Ocean, to find the pearl with which he adorned his daughter Pandaea.