 | Poems |  |
39
CITY OF BOSTON.
“We only know she sailed away,
And ne'er was heard of more.”
And ne'er was heard of more.”
Waves of the ocean, that thunder and roar,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
Tell, as ye dash on the quivering strand,
Where is the crew that comes never to land?
Where are the hearts, that unfearing and gay,
Broke from the clasp of affection away?
Where are the faces, that smiling and bright,
Sailed for the death-darkened regions of night?
Waves of the ocean, that thunder and roar,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
Tell, as ye dash on the quivering strand,
Where is the crew that comes never to land?
Where are the hearts, that unfearing and gay,
Broke from the clasp of affection away?
Where are the faces, that smiling and bright,
Sailed for the death-darkened regions of night?
Waves of the ocean, that thunder and roar,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
Storms of the ocean, that bellow and sweep,
Where are our friends that went forth on the deep?
Where are the faces ye paled with your sneer?
Where are the hearts ye have palsied with fear?
Where is the maiden, so tender and fair?
Where is the father, of silvery hair?
Where is the glory of womanhood's time?
Where the warm blood of man's vigor and prime?
Storms of the ocean, that bellow and pour,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
Where are our friends that went forth on the deep?
Where are the faces ye paled with your sneer?
Where are the hearts ye have palsied with fear?
Where is the maiden, so tender and fair?
Where is the father, of silvery hair?
40
Where the warm blood of man's vigor and prime?
Storms of the ocean, that bellow and pour,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
Birds of the ocean, that scream through the gale,
What have ye seen of a wind-beaten sail?
What have ye heard, in your moments of glee,
Birds of the bitter and treacherous sea?
Perched ye for rest on the threatening mast,
Beaten and shattered and bent by the blast?
Heard ye no message to carry away,
Home to the hearts that are yearning to-day?
Birds of the ocean, that hover and soar,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
What have ye seen of a wind-beaten sail?
What have ye heard, in your moments of glee,
Birds of the bitter and treacherous sea?
Perched ye for rest on the threatening mast,
Beaten and shattered and bent by the blast?
Heard ye no message to carry away,
Home to the hearts that are yearning to-day?
Birds of the ocean, that hover and soar,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
Depths of the ocean, that fathomless lie,
What of the crew that no more cometh nigh?
What of the guests that so silently sleep
Low in thy chambers, relentlessly deep?
Cold is the couch they have haplessly won;
Long is the night they have entered upon;
Still must they sleep, till the trumpet o'erhead
Summons the sea to uncover its dead!
Depths of the ocean, with treasures in store,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
What of the crew that no more cometh nigh?
What of the guests that so silently sleep
Low in thy chambers, relentlessly deep?
Cold is the couch they have haplessly won;
Long is the night they have entered upon;
Still must they sleep, till the trumpet o'erhead
Summons the sea to uncover its dead!
Depths of the ocean, with treasures in store,
Where is the ship that we sent from our shore?
God of the ocean, of mercy and power,
Look we to thee in this heart-crushing hour!
Cold was the bitter and merciless wave,
Warm was thy love and thy goodness, to save;
Dark were the tempests that thundered and flew,
Bright was thy smile, bursting happily through;
Bright to the band who have followed thine eye
Home to the shores of the beautiful sky!
Safe in thy goodness and love evermore,
Leave we the ship that we sent from our shore!
Look we to thee in this heart-crushing hour!
41
Warm was thy love and thy goodness, to save;
Dark were the tempests that thundered and flew,
Bright was thy smile, bursting happily through;
Bright to the band who have followed thine eye
Home to the shores of the beautiful sky!
Safe in thy goodness and love evermore,
Leave we the ship that we sent from our shore!
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