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Yet even here, amid these fearful scenes,
Peace lay beneath the brooding wing of death.
Ay, even here was peace, the peace of God,
Which nature seeks in vain to comprehend;
It passes understanding, and pervades
The humble souls which glow with love divine.
Yes, in that vessel were some humble souls,
To whom death came in angel loveliness,—
A messenger of mercy. Staid and calm
Their hearts were beating, and their eyes were raised,

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With holy hope and confidence, toward heaven.
“Thy will be done,” they murmured,—while a yell
Of deep fierce agony swelled madly up,
As closed the waters o'er that peopled ship,
And down! down! down! it sunk, to the dark bed
Of the hoarse moaning waves.