seem one in harmony.
In that well guarded spot few sounds intrude
To mar the quiet of its solitude.
The beat of surges at the entrance seems
A distant murmur from the land of dreams;
While crickets chirruping and song birds gay,
From valley and from hillside sound their lay.

Four miles of coastline do those arms surround
Of cliff and delta, wood and open ground;
Where stately fir and cedar trees are seen
In contrast with the lighter shades of green;
While on the rocks thick moss and lichen grow,
And rough arbutus shrubs their shadows throw.

When sunset edges all the clouds with gold,
And sea and shore with jewelled wealth untold,
Those rocky cliffs a fitting setting form
To hold that gem of ocean (safe in storm);
And changing lights, warm and elusive, wear
To match the shading of the sea and air.

A maid lives there, who often roams this way;
We're here to greet her when she comes to-day.

[Enter Virginia.]

Kelpies--
Virginia, come and play with us awhile;
Come, be our queen and on our revels smile.
Or if we may but help you o'er the stream,
Our labours shall a moment's frolic seem.

Virginia--
Kelpies, too long you've roamed on mischief bent:
Too long you've made the sky your nightly tent.
I've oft been warned to shun your careless way
And from your pranks and revels warned to stay.
I dare not try to cross the swollen tide
Unless some stronger arm is close beside.

[Paolo approaches]

Permit my arm to be this guide and stay:
Pray give me leave to help you on your way.

Virginia--
Kind sir, if you will take me by the hand,
I'll thank you to assist to that far strand.
No--Don't you lift me up--I didn't mean--
Well--If you must--

[Carried over]

How strong your arms have been.

Paolo--
Virginia, did I hear the kelpies say?
Yes, that's my name. What is your own, I pray?
Call me Paolo, and if I may be
Of any further help fair maid to thee,
Allow me to attend you on your way.

Virginia--
Thank you, I need no further help to-day.

[Exit Virginia.]

Kelpies--
Join with us, dance with us, prance with us
Over the sea.
Roam with us, flee with us, be with us
Where we may be.

Paolo, turning from looking after Virginia--
I'm in no mood to join your frolics now;
Perhaps some other day you'll show me how
You ride the combers on the ocean swell.
I must be going now, Kelpies farewell.