"Last night the moon had a golden ring, The skipper, he blew a whiff from his pipe, Colder and louder blew the wind, And the billows frothed like yeast. Down came the storm, and smote amain She shuddered and paused, like a frighted steed, "Come hither! come hither! my little daughter, Lashed to the helm, all stiff and stark, The lantern gleamed through the gleaming snow Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed That savéd she might be; And she thought of Christ, who stilled the wave On the Lake of Galilee. And fast through the midnight dark and drear, And ever the fitful gusts between The breakers were right beneath her bows, And a whooping billow swept the crew She struck where the white and fleecy waves But the cruel rocks, they gored her side Her rattling shrouds, all sheathed in ice, At daybreak, on the bleak sea-beach, Lashed close to a drifting mast. N The salt sea was frozen on her breast, And he saw her hair, like the brown sea-weed, Such was the wreck of the Hesperus, In the midnight and the snow! Christ save us all from a death like this, On the reef of Norman's Woe! THE SHIP OF STATE. THOU too sail on, O Ship of State! With all the hopes of future years, Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee; Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, A PSALM OF LIFE. TELL me not, in mournful numbers, "Life is but an empty dream!" For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. THE LAUNCHING OF THE SHIP. ALL is finished! and at length Of beauty and of strength. To-day the vessel shall be launched! With fleecy clouds the sky is blanched, Slowly, in all his splendors dight, The great Sun rises to behold the sight. The Ocean old, Centuries old, Strong as youth, and as uncontrolled, Up and down the sands of gold. His beating heart is not at rest; And far and wide, With ceaseless flow, His beard of snow Heaves with the heaving of his breast. He waits impatient for his bride. With her foot upon the sands, Decked with flags and streamers gay, In honor of her marriage day, Her snow-white signals, fluttering, blending, Round her like a veil descending, Ready to be The bride of the gray old Sea. Then the master, With a gesture of command, Waved his hand; And at the word, Loud and sudden there was heard, All around them and below, |