A pale and grim monarch rules the depths of the ocean, residing in dim green caverns. His presence is cold, and he wears a crown of foam, embodying a somber and oppressive atmosphere. The Sea-King listens to the melancholic songs of a Mermaid, whose haunting melodies evoke despair and madness in those who hear them. The underwater realm is populated by strange and monstrous creatures, their forms fleeting and eerie. The Sea-King remains indifferent to the wreckage of ships and the remnants of sailors, finding amusement in the sorrow of humanity. The ocean floor is littered with the remains of mariners, and the Sea-King's disdain for their plight is evident. He revels in the tears of men, which he collects and transforms into pearls, a testament to his cruel enjoyment of human suffering. The depths of the sea are also a realm of eternal sleep, devoid of music or joy, where silence reigns and the hearts of all beings are stilled. This dark and oppressive environment reflects the Sea-King's nature, as he presides over a kingdom that thrives on despair and the remnants of lost souls.
By Madison Cawein · First published 1902 · Genre: Fantasy, Poetry, Gothic