Page:Hero of Ballinacrazy.pdf/6

6 Round us roars the tempest

Think what fear our mind enthrals;

Harder yet, it yet blows harder,

Now again the boatswain calls:

The topsail yards point to the wind, boys

See all clear to reef each course!

Let the fore-sheet go; don’t mind, boys,

Though the weather should be worse.

Fore and all the sprit-sail yard get,

Reef the mizen; see all clear;

Hands up! each preventer brace set;

Man the fore yard; cheer, lads, cheer.

Now the dreadful thunder’s roaring,

Peals on peals contending clash.

On our heads fierce rain-falls pouring,

In our eyes blue lightenings flash!

One wide water all around us,

All above us one black sky;

Different deaths at once around us.

Hark! what means that dreadful cry?

The foremast's gone, cries every tongue out,

O’er the lee, twelve feet ‘bove deck.

A leak beneath the chest-free‘s sprun out;

Call all hands to clear the wreck.