Page:Poems by William Wordsworth (1815) Volume 2.djvu/351

343 Ill fated Vessel!—ghastly shock!

—At length delivered from the rock

The deep she hath regained;

And through the stormy night they steer,

Labouring for life, in hope and fear,

Towards a safer shore—how near,

Yet not to be attained!

Silence! the brave Commander cried;

To that calm word a shriek replied,

It was the last death-shriek.

—A few appear by morning light,

Preserved upon the tall mast's height:

Oft in my Soul I see that sight;

But one dear remnant of the night—

For him in vain I seek.

Six weeks beneath the moving sea

He lay in slumber quietly;

Unforced by wind or wave

To quit the Ship for which he died,

(All claims of duty satisfied;)

And there they found him at her side;

And bore him to the grave.