Disha Deepak Shetty
HKMA David Li Kwok Po College
You have no immortal soul; you are bound by the waves that act as your tether.
You cannot lie in the moonlight on the sandbanks or see the emerald of the forest.
Your sea-foam destined being will never rise beyond the stars into the aether.
Oh, my pretty princess, for your soul to live forever, a man’s soul you must share together.
Tongue cut and mellifluous voice mine, the knife-induced pain of your steps shall feel sorest.
You have no immortal soul; you are bound by the waves that act as your tether.
Despite entrancing eyes and soap-bubble-like swaying steps, you will be as dumb as leather.
Use what you have to enchain the man’s heart, lest your naive dreams end up perished, then
Your sea-foam destined being will never rise beyond the stars into the aether.
Beware, should the prince marry another, you and the crest of the waves will bind together;
Forsaking your pristine palace, your darling loved ones, an act akin to slitting your wrist.
You have no immortal soul; you are bound by the waves that act as your tether.
Bear the hefty weight of your desire, pay the hefty sum they require, this reckless endeavour.
Oh, how your voice trembles; you look as pale as death, my artless princess dearest.
Your sea-foam destined being will never rise beyond the stars into the aether.
Come forth, wayward soul, my cauldron burns with my black blood – your untether;
Soon you will learn, my naive princess, love’s price is tears, and it will leave you the poorest.
You have no immortal soul, you are bound by the waves that act as your tether,
Your sea-foam destined being will never rise beyond the stars into the aether.*
*Inspired by H.C. Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” (1837). Source: Andersen, Hans Christian. “The Little Mermaid.”
Translated by H.P. Paull, HCA.gilead.org, 2007, http://hca.gilead.org.il/li_merma.html
