The Little Mermaid / Русалочка

When it grew dark, a number of colored lamps were lighted

,

the sailors and royal family danced merrily on the deck

The little mermaid could not help thinking of her birthday

the day that she rose out of the sea for the first time

,

similar joyful festivities were celebrated on that day

she thought about the wonder and hope she felt that day

,

with those pleasant memories, she too joined in the dance

on her paining feet, she poised herself in the air

,

the way a swallow poises itself when in pursued of prey

,

the sailors and the servants cheered her wonderingly

She had never danced so gracefully before

Her tender feet felt as if cut with sharp knives

but she cared little for the pain of her feet

there was a much sharper pain piercing her heart