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The watchful stars look'd calmly on, Girt with their silver zones, When a flash of bursting glory traced An arch around their thrones. For Aurora Borealis bent From her palace above the skies, And the wondering billows open'd wide Their phosphorescent eyes.

Firm at his post the captain stood, Clear-soul'd and undismay'd, And the King of the Iceberg's power defied, While night drew on its shade; On, through the interdicted realm, With fearless prow he sped, Though round him gathering dangers press'd,   And nameless forms of dread.

And longer had he borne the strife, But he thought of those who gave Their life and welfare to his hand Upon the faithless wave; The noble and the true of heart, The helpless and the fair, The child upon its mother's knee, That knew no fear nor care;

And felt, in their far-distant homes, How deep the grief and sore, If the lip of love for them should ask, And they return no more.