Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1827.pdf/21



The queen-like countess on the deck, The royal youth beside: And all was bright, as the White Ship Cut through the sparkling spray; Though still her shadow, omen like, Dark on the waters lay.

One long, wild shriek—that hidden rock! The ship has perished there:— "Back with you all, out with the boat,    Save England's royal heir." "Pause, on your lives!" Back sprung the prince Upon the shattered deck: "My sister!" Safely in his arms He bore her from the wreck.

Cold, pale, the morning slowly broke; Upheld upon the mast, Two, only two, remained to tell What in that night had past. The one was master of that ship, That fair ship nothing now— O never more he'll set her sails, Or guide her stately prow! He thought but of his royal freight: "Is he among the dead?" "I saw," the other said, "the wave    Close o'er Prince Henry's head." "And who shall to our native shore    The dismal tidings bear; And tell the king he has no son,     The throne it has no heir?" "Not I, not I, my noble prince,    At least I'll share thy grave:" The master loosed his hold and plunged Beneath the fated wave.

Wo was in merry England, A deep and lasting wo— A father wept above the sea, His children slept below.L. E. L