>Behold yon skiff, how gallantly along The stormy surface of the deep she scuds! The Albatros skims the Atlantic wave Not more majestically! Now half hid In Ocean's liquid furrows; - cresting now, Its ridge of foam; like playful Dolphin, onwards, She wends her way! High o'er her milk-white sail Drives the dense spray, as cleaves her sable prow The swelling surge! By turns the yellow sun-beams Flash round her path! By turns the frowning tempest Her yielding cordage strains! By heavens! tis fearful! Yet still her crew laugh at the winds that lay Her gunnel to the wave; and joyously Ascends the sea-boy's carol I............... .......but who is she - That more than Nereid from emerald cave Of Amphitrite, or the pearly bed Of Ocean's deity - it bears along The heavenly harmony - the sphere-like music - That breathes in every feature; - the warm flush Of maiden beauty ere its ripening bloom Has sober'd into womanhood; - the looks Of angel loveliness, that to the soul Shoot lightnings - yet all tenderness themselves! But ill accord with scene so rude as this; - No sea-nymph she, but one of mortal mould, | Who, on a father's manly arm reclining Reflects the mild composure of his soul. Fondly he gazes on her; she, perchance, The solitary comfort of his age! Oh! who shall say what parents feels, when thus Hope's earliest visions are embodied, and The sweet, the rapturous solicitudes, that first Betray affection, are by seasons ripened To such a bright maturity?.............. ...........................................But mark The bark is gone! - Oh, God! the greedy waves Have drowned the scream of agony! - Her keel Is uppermost! and few appear the struggles Of her faint crew! - Not so the sire! one arm Is twined around his child; - the other cleaves, With giant-strength, the wilderness of waters; Half breathless with the toil he cheers her still, And beats the surge more manfully, as on The half expiring victim rest his eyes; But see! there's succour near - a friendly sail Advances rapidly! - one effort more - (Ganges sea boat arrives) They are onboard! (onboard HMS Ganges)- convulsively she grasps Her parent's hand in gratitude; one kiss. One kiss, she presses on it, and, Madona-like, Expires!............................................................. |