Walden's Miscellaneous Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

What gave rise to this little poem was, that a party of students went out on a skating expedition on a pond near the University, and the ice not being sufficiently strong, it gave way with them. I imagined myself there, and the following lines suggested themselves to my mind about the hour of 12 o'clock p. m.

Be still! I thought I heard it cracking
Around on every side,
And soon they will be driven by
The wind upon the tide.

It breaks, it bends, and shivers now
Around about their feet,
And every nerve is standing still,
And hearts refuse to beat.

Behold I see them standing on
A little icy isle,
Pray, who will bring the hero forth,
Or save the loving child.

Look, look, I see them whirling round,
All hurried by the gale,
And not a breath I breathed on land,
For fear their hearts will fail.

But Hollingsworth is speaking now
Unto the little dove,
He says, “If you will trust in me
I 'll prove to you my love.

“While secret shouts are coming forth,
Think not they do resound,
Remember, I am present now,
And you shalt ne'er be drowned,

“Therefore be calm, be well composed,
Although within the tide,
Then if you have to suffer here,
I'll linger by your side.”

Dear sir, I cannot feel alarmed,
Not in the least degree,
When I remember heaven smiles,
And Jesus looks on me.

Nor can I ever be dismayed,
While angels gather nigh,
But if I have to perish here,
On wings of love I 'll fly.

Now all is calm on isle and land,
And not a word is said,

I cannot hear my own heart beat,
Nor foot, if one should tread.

Ten thousand swelling thoughts arise,
From heart to heart they leap;
Pray tell me who will trust himself
Upon the mighty deep?

New plans by Simmons now are made,
Whose heart can never fail,
He quickly comes to her relief,
And with him brings a rail.

But first of all a bridge he builds,
From floating isle to land.
And first to step upon the rail
To offer her his hand.

Then bless the one who saves my friend,
To him I will impart
The richest treasures of my soul,
And dearest of my heart.

Now turning I from such a scene,
To one that 's more severe,
A greater accident than this
Have we among us here.

Behold! another 's breaking through,
And downward she is sent,
So Shadd he comes by double quick,
To save her he is bent.

'Tis in the deep and takes her up,
And holds her in his arms,
With fading cheek and throbbing heart,
He looks upon her charms.

God bless these men who saved my friends,
Grant each a happy life;
O grant them health, O grant them wealth,
And each a loving wife.

But where am I 'midst all of this,
Why do I from them stay;
Is it because I take no part
Within their icy play?

O, no, my soul is with them now,
And with them do abound,
And stand between the icy cliffs
That neither one should drown.

Behold I stand with outstretched arms,
Come hither! is my cry,
Unto the right, unto the left,
To either one I fly.

Dear friends this sight is hard to see;
Can angels bear the scene?
For yonder sank my heart's delight,
And floated there my queen.

I shut my eyes and wring my hands,
O whither shall I go

Shall I launch out upon the deep,
Where billows ebb and flow?

O then forbid that I should see
Another icy day,
If it must nip the buds which else
Would bloom so fair in May.

Young friends, from this a warning take,
This thought do not erase,
But never hop and skip upon
The deep's cold, icy face.

But first of all go bless the Son
Of God, who ever reigns,
Who sent his angel of the sea,
To break these icy chains.

Then go and bring my swiftest steed,
Convey them to the hall,
And tell for me the matron dear,
About their icy fall.

O that her hand would be their guide,
For such a hand must be,
They should not trifle with the ice,
Nor with the laughing sea.

How glad I am and proud to say
No damage has been done
To you young men like heroes stood,
Till you the victory won.

So fare you well my playful friends,
And weeping as we part,
But may each one to each confide
Through time, in each one's heart.