Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/26

22 And moved by some strange phantasy; his eyes Were wide distended as in glad surprise At something there he saw; his arms reached o'er The vessel's side as if to greet the shore, And sounds came from his lips like sobs of joy.

A brief time so; and then the blue-eyed boy Sank down convulsed, as if to him appeared Strange sights that they saw not; and all afeard Grew the late joyous people with vague dread ; And loud the mother wailed above her dead.

The ship steered in and found a bay, and then The anchor plunged aweary-like: the men Breathed breaths of rest at treading land agen.

Upon the beach by Christian men untrod The wanderers kneeling offered up to God The land's first-fruits; and nigh the kneeling band The burdened mother sat upon the sand, And still she wailed, not praying.