Page:The West Indies, and Other Poems.djvu/156

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Through ocean's mirror, dark and clear, Reflected skies and clouds appear

In morning's rich array ; The land is lost, the waters glow, 'Tis heaven above, around, below.

Majestic o*er the sparkling tide,

See the tall vessel sail. With swelling wings, in shadowy pride,

A swan before the gale ; Deep-laden merchants rode behind ; — But, ft arful of the fickle wind,

Britannia's cheek grew pale, When, lessening through the flood of light, Their leader vanish'd from her sight.

Oft had she hail'd its trophicd prow.

Victorious from the war, And hanner'd masts, that would not bow,

Though riv'n with many a scar ;

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