The foolish price, the vain courtier
They both belong to me
Their curiosity and arrogance
Leads them straight into my kingdom
Down they will ride, below the waves
Unhonored, unwept and unsung
On polished thrones of coral and stone
We of the otherworld rule
Making slaves and lovers of the sons and daughters
From the mortal world
With bowed heads and silent tongues
They work a thousand years or more
Once they succumb and their soul is undone
They are scattered to the winds
Then the shores above are scoured
I never do wait too long
For the fresh hubris of youth calls them
Like rats after the piper’s song.