University of Virginia Library


129

THE MEETING OF THE SHIPS.

When o'er the silent seas alone,
For days and nights we've cheerless gone,
Oh they who've felt it know how sweet,
Some sunny morn a sail to meet.
Sparkling at once is ev'ry eye,
“Ship ahoy!” our joyful cry;
While answering back the sounds we hear,
“Ship ahoy!” what cheer? what cheer?
Then sails are back'd, we nearer come,
Kind words are said of friends and home;
And soon, too soon, we part with pain,
To sail o'er silent seas again.