Leagues, leagues over the sea I sail Couched on a wallowing dolphin’s tail.The sky is on fire, the waves a-sheen, I dabble my foot in the billows green
Antipholus
And as a bed I’ll take them and there lie,and in that glorious supposition think,he gains by death that hath such means to die,let Love, being light, be drowned if she sink!
My gentle Puck, come hither.
“Thou rememberest since,once I sat upon a promontory,and heard a mermaid on a dolphin’s back,uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath,that the rude sea grew civil at her song,and certain stars shot madly from their spheres, to hear the sea-maid’s music?
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“A mermaid found a swimming lad,Picked him for her own,Pressed her body to his body,Laughed; and plunging down Forgot in cruel happiness,That even lovers drown.”
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“I sat upon a promontory, and heard a mermaid, on a dolphin’s back, uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, that the rude sea grew civil at her song; and certain stars shot madly from their spheres, to hear the sea-maid’s music.”