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In the depths of the sea surrounding the islands far to the east, in the depths where many pearls are found, floated the dead body of a young man. The golden-haired daughters of the sea gathered around it. They sat on ridges of coral looking at it with bright blue eyes. The deep sea heard their musical voices. The waves bore their voices to the shores, and the breeze carried them to my soul.
One said, "This man died yesterday when the sea was angry."
A second said, "The sea was not angry, but rather Man, he who claims to be descended from the gods. Much blood was spilled in a fierce war, and the sea turned scarlet. This man was killed in the war."
A third said, "I do not know what war is, but I know that after Man conquered the dry land, he lusted to rule the sea. He devised strange machines and plowed the sea. Neptune, god of the seas, learned of this and grew angry at this transgression. Man could only seek to placate our lord with sacrifices and gifts. The corpses that fell yesterday were but the latest offering from Man to great Neptune."
A fourth said, "How great is Neptune, but how cruel is his heart! Were I the queen of the seas, I would not be pleased with bloody sacrifices. Come, I will show you the corpse of this youth. Perhaps we will learn something of the tribe of man."
The daughters of the sea surrounded the body of the youth and began to search his clothes. They found a letter in a pocket next to his heart and read:
"My love, it is midnight. I sit wakeful with no one to comfort me save my tears, nothing to console me save my hope that you will return to me among the talons of war. I can think of nothing save what you said to me when we parted, that each person is entrusted with a tear, which he must someday return. I do not know, my love, what it is that I write. I give my soul leave to flow onto the paper - a soul is tormented by misery and consoled by love that transform pain into pleasure and sorrows into joy... When love united our hearts and we awaited the union of our two bodies in a single spirit, the war called you and you obeyed, compelled by necessity and patriotism. But what is this necessity that separates lovers and makes women into widows and children into orphans? What is this patriotism that turns small causes into a war that will destroy countries? What is this necessity that binds the poor villager but does not trouble the powerful or the aristocrat? If necessity destroys peace among nations and patriotism troubles the quiet of human life, then farewell to necessity and patriotism! No, no, my love! Pay no attention to my words. Rather be brave and love your country. Do not listen to the words of a girl blinded by love, whose vision is clouded by separation. If love does not return you to me in this life, the love will unite me with you in the life to come."
The daughters of the sea replaced that letter in the youth's pocket and swam away in silent sorrow. When they were far away, one of them said, "Truly man's heart is crueler than the heart of Neptune!"
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