Page:Twilight Hours (1868).djvu/148

104 The coast-guard sprang with his heavy strength, And bore the body down ; He drew it in to a tomb-like rock, — The dead man seemed to frown. The ship went curtseying back to sea, Like one whose task was done ; The coast-guard stood, in a daze stood he, Before the blinding sun. Of all he rescued from out the sea He saw one hand alone ; On all the hand he could only see One well-remembered stone. " O ring !" the coast-guard cried, " How hast thou come to this ? The ring I gave her, my promised bride, With many a tear and kiss ? " Man, didst thou slay my wife ? Though thou wert three times dead I would avenge her, would claim thy life For each dear hair of her head.