Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1825.pdf/37



But this most sweet and lighted calm, Its blue and midnight hour, Wakened the hidden springs of his heart, With a deep and secret power.

Is there some nameless boding sent, Like a noiseless voice from the tomb?— A spirit note from the other world, To warn of death and doom?

He thought of his home, of his own fair land, And the warm tear rushed to his eye; Almost with fear he looked around, But no cloud was on the sky.

He sought his cabin, and joined his band— The wine cup was passing round; He joined in their laugh, he joined in the song, But no mirth was in the sound.

Peaceful they sought their quiet sleep, In the soft and lovely night; But, like life, the sea was false, and hid The cold dark rock from sight.

At midnight there came a sudden shock, And the sleepers sprang from bed; There was one fierce cry of last despair— The waves closed over head.

There was no dark cloud on the morning sky, No fierce wind on the morning air; The sun shone over the proud ship's track, But no proud ship was there!