Alaskan Balladry.

Krinken was a little child--     It was summer when he smiled;     Oft the hoary sea and grim     Stretched its white arms out to him,     Calling: "Sun-Child, come to me,     Let me warm my heart with thee"--     But the child heard not the sea     Calling, yearning evermore     For the summer on the shore.     Krinken on the beach one day     Saw a maiden Nis at play--     On the pebbly beach she played     In the summer Krinken made.     Fair and very fair was she--     Just a little child was he.     "Krinken," said the maiden Nis     "Let me have a little kiss--     Just a kiss and go with me     To the summer lands that be     Down within the silver sea!"     Krinken was a little child--     By the maiden Nis beguiled,     Hand in hand with her went he--     And 'twas summer in the sea!     And the hoary sea and grim     To its bosom folded him--     Clasped and kissed the little form,     And the ocean's heart was warm.     But upon the misty shore     Winter brooded evermore.     With that winter in my heart,     Oft in dead of night I start--     Start and lift me up and weep,     For those visions in my sleep     Mind me of the yonder deep!     'Tis his face lifts from the sea--     'Tis his voice calls out to me--     Thus the winter bides with me.     Krinken was the little child     By the maiden Nis beguiled;     Oft the hoary sea and grim     Reached its longing arms to him,     Calling: "Sun-Child, come to me,     Let me warm my heart with thee!"     But the sea calls out no more     And 'tis winter on the shore--     Summer in the silver sea     Where with maiden Nis went he--     And the winter bides with me!