Page:Poems for the Sea.djvu/74

70 The boat! the boat! it launches forth Upon the mountain wave, And shrieking throngs, with frantic haste Essay its power to save; A fragile thing, it darkly strives Amid the wrathful tide, And deep, unutter'd pangs are theirs Who leave that vessel's side.

A moonbeam pierced the heavy cloud! Alas! what sight was there! Who stood on that forsaken deck In calm and mute despair! A fair, young maiden, just arous'd   From slumber soft and dear, Stretched her white arms in wild amaze, But found no helper near.

In sad adieu, her hand she wav'd   As if some friend she blest, Then closer drew her snowy robe Around her gentle breast,