Nereids, ride your dolphins before the waves
Ebb. This is no place for delicate creatures like you,
Beauteous sirens of the deep. This recluse
Atoll may charm you with its damask reefs; but

Down below the sharks do not recognize your myth.

Ignorant rows of teeth will rip you into morsels
Unless you leave now, before the waves ebb.
Go, before the tides leave you stranded on the shore,

Leave you vulnerable to more insatiable predators.
Like sharks whose fins slice the ocean's peace
Everyone here swims around his prey;

Nearing-warm blood attracts him-he
Attacks, thrashes about, and hungrily feeds.
Hapless, the victim lies gorged in his jaws-

This is no place for delicate creatures like you.

Away now, daughters of Nereus; ride your dolphins
Go where predators cannot smell you. Save yourselves

And swim away from these damask reefs.