Classic Poem

Down, down there in the great green sea—
Oysters dwell in the dreaming deep
Oysters never can hear or see
Never can love or laugh or weep
I could glitter with pearls, I wis
If I were as dull as an oyster is.

Down, down there in the great green sea
I have seen the wreck of the good ships lie
More of gold than you give to me
Gold that none shall sell or buy.
I could be laden with gold may be
If I were as cold as the heart of the sea.

I have seen the bony hands of the dead
Grasping gold to a Kingdom's fee
Kings and merchants, mighty and dread
Hear the lesson learnt in the sea
We could be all of us richer far
If we were as dead as the dead men are.