Page:Joys of the harvest.pdf/5

[ 5 ] Now the dreadful thunders roaring,

peals on peals contending clah,

On our heads fierce rain falls pouring,

in our eyes blue lightning flah.

One wide water all around us,

all above but one black ky!

Diff'rent deaths at once urround us,

Hark! what means yon dreadful cry?

The foremat's gone, cries ev'ry tongue out,

o’er the lee, twelve foot ’bove deck!

A leak beneath the chetree’s prung out!

call all hands to clear the wreck.

Quick the laniards cut to pieces,

come, my hearts, be tout and bold;

Plumb the well, the leak increaes,

four feet water’s in the hold!

While o'er the hip the wild waves beating,

we for wives and children mourn:

Alas! from them there’s no retreating,

alas! to them there’s no return!

Still the leak is gaining on us,

both chain pumps are choak’d below;

Heav’n have mercy here upon us!

only He can ave us now.

On the lee-beem is the land, boys,

let the guns o’er board be thrown;

To the pumps come ev’ry hand, boys,

ee! her mizzen mat is gone.