Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/179

Rh "O Holy Virgin! be their guard!" the weeping women cried; The old men, sad and silent, watched the boats cleave through the tide. As past the farthest headland, past the lighthouse, in a line The fishing-fleet went seaward through the phosphor-lighted brine.

Oh, pray, ye wives and mothers! All your prayers they sorely need To save them from the wrath they've roused by their rebellious greed. Oh! white-haired men and little babes, and weeping sweethearts, pray To God to spare the fishermen to-night in Wexford Bay!

The boats have reached good offing, and, as out the nets are thrown, The hearts ashore are chilled to hear the soughing sea wind's moan: