Page:Tale of Paraguay - Southey.djvu/57

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The seamen who upon some coral reef Are cast amid the interminable main, Still cling to life, and hoping for relief Drag on their days of wretchedness and pain. In turtle shells they hoard the scanty rain, And eat its flesh, sundried for lack of fire, Till the weak body can no more sustain Its wants, but sinks beneath its sufferings dire Most miserable man who sees the rest expire!

He lingers there while months and years go by: And holds his hope tho' months and years have past. And still at morning round the farthest sky, And still at eve his eagle glance is cast. If there he may behold the far-off mast Arise, for which he hath not ceased to pray. And if perchance a ship should come at last, And bear him from that dismal bank away, He blesses God that he hath lived to see that day.