Page:Poems written during the progress of the abolition question in the United States.djvu/41

 'A sail!—thank God! a sail!' And, as the helmsman spoke, Up through the stormy murmur, A shout of gladness broke. Down came the stranger vessel Unheeding, on her way, So near, that on the slaver's deck Fell off her driven spray. 'Ho! for the love of mercy— We're perishing and blind!' A wail of utter agony Came back upon the wind. 'Help us! for we are stricken With blindness every one— Ten days we've floated fearfully, Unnoting star or sun. Our ship's the slaver Leon— We've but a score on board— Our slaves are all gone over— Help—for the love of God!' On livid brows of agony The broad red lightning shone— But the roar of wind and thunder Stifled the answering groan. Wail'd from the broken waters A last despairing cry, As kindling in the stormy light, The stranger ship went by. 3