Select Poetry. THE PILOT IN PERIL.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 91, 27 February 1847, Page 4

Select Poetry. THE PILOT IN PERIL.

BY JKSSIE HAMMOND. Tkk ttate-ve«sel pitched on a tmbulent tide, fTwas a stormy political ocean, And there wanted a helmsman the vessel to guide, Amid the w ild billows commotion : The pilot look'd pale, as he stood on tho deck, At the dangers that gathei'rt around him, For he saw through his errois she'd soon be a -wreck, Though for nautical skill fame had ciown'd him. John Bull was the owner, and groan'd for his craft For she scem'd In a crazy condition, Though she'd cost a gieat deal to be rigged' fore and aft, And was splendidly put in commission. "She's trim-built," said he, "as if just out of dock, ,So the error must bo in the steering, "Why not change the course from Monopoly's lock, While the trade winds arc varied au<l veering?" " Change the helmsman," was echoed by all the ship's crew, On tho forecastle gathered together, 11 We've one of our mates all the business can do, And make the sh)p«ide out the weather ; ,One tack to the starboard would be quite enough To make our skill famous in story, For she'd shine on thdbillows, though stormy and rough, Like the star ot the sea in its glory." The Pilot in Peril then look'd «t his berth, We.ll stor'd for the port he was making, - And he thought what his honor and oflice were worth, And how wrong was the course he was taking: "All hands up alolt !" then, with firmness, he said, " Let the.land-lubbers npw cease their roai ingHurrah, boys! the port of Free-trade's right a-head, And she'll safely ride there at her moorings."