POETRY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2128, 18 December 1880, Page 3

POETRY.

PASSING. “ Alice Williams Brotherton in the Atlantic. “ What ship is this coming sailing Across the harbor bar. So strange, yet bow familiar, With treasure from afar ? O comrade shout, good bells ring out, Peal loud your merry din ! Oh, joy ! At last across the bay My ship comes sailing in !” Men said in low whispers, “ It is the passing bell. At last his toll is ended.” They prayed, “ God rest him well !” “Oh, captain, my captain ! What store have you on board ?” “ A treasure, far richer Then gems or golden heard ; The broken promise welded firm. The long forgotten kiss ; The love more worth than all on earth, All joys love seem to miss.” The watchers sighed softly, “ It is the death change, What vision blest has given That rapture deep and strange ?”

“ O captain, dear captain, What forms are these I see On deck there beside you p They smile and beckon me. And soft voices call me — . Those voices sure I know!” “All friends are here that you held dear In the sweet long ago.” “The death smile,” they murmured; “ It is so passing sweet We scarce have heart to hide it Beneath the winding sheet.”

“ O captain, I know you ! Are yon not Christ the Lord ? With light heart and joyous I hasten now on board. Set sail, set sail before the gale, Our trip will soon be o’er ; To-night we’ll cast our anchor fast Beside the Heavenly shore.” Mon sighed, “ Lay him gently Beneath the heavy sod,” The soul afar beyond the bar Wens sailing unto God.