 | Metrical essays |  |
69
THE TEMPEST.
Horrida tempestas cœlum contraxit; et imbres
Nivesque deducunt Jovem:
Nunc mare, nunc silüæ
Threïcio Aquilone sonant.
Horace.
Nivesque deducunt Jovem:
Nunc mare, nunc silüæ
Threïcio Aquilone sonant.
Horace.
I
Storm on the wild dark sky—Storm on the rushing sea—
The tall ship between cloud and wave
Is rolling fearfully.
II
The elemental flashIs the only light seen there;
While the dismal cry of perishing men,
Mid tumult rends the air!
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III
The stoutest of that crewStrain for one moment's breath;—
Oh God! it is a bitter thing
Thus to look on with death!
IV
The mother clasps her child,And views above—around—
Bewildered and silently;
There's grief too deep for sound!
V
Stands there an old pale man,With lip and brow of fear;
He was prepar'd for the dark tomb,
But, oh!—not thus—not here!
VI
He thought at last to restIn his own lov'd village ground;
His lowly grave enwreath'd with flowers,
And mourning forms around.
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VII
He, in his own far home,Hath a son—his spirit's joy—
'Twere bliss to see him but once more,
To say—God bless thee, boy!
VIII
The young and faithful meet,And with ghastly eyes gaze on;
Still would they speak of hope—alas!—
Both voice and thought are gone.
IX
They weep!—yet, ah! their tearsSeem not like human grief;
The mild warm drops the sad heart grants
To yield itself relief:
X
A sure and stern despairIn the blood-shot sight appears;
Such drops might suit the eyes of death,
If death may e'er know tears.
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XI
Is there no hope?—go askThe melancholy deep;
It hath startling tales to tell of those
Who 'neath its wild waves sleep.
XII
Is there no hope?—go askThe red and threatening clouds;
O! many a sight of misery
Their angry shadow shrouds.
XIII
Is there no hope?—I sawLongtime the good ship strain;
I saw it battle—reel—and sink:—
I saw it not again.
XIV
Of all the gallant soulsIn that vast vessel tost,
O! were there none that could escape?
Not one—they all were lost!
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XV
Was wreck nor corpse e'er foundUpon that gloomy coast?—
The secret of their doom's with God;—
They all—they all were lost!
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