THE SHIPWRECK.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 518, 13 July 1866, Page 3

THE SHIPWRECK.

By Elza Wiw-son. All was hushed cm the rolling barque, The night was gloomy and wild and dark ; The wind dashed by with an angry roar, And with fury the dark waves lashed the -shore. Still the barque rode well, O'er the Haley swell, As rising and breaking, around they fell. The mariners slept, weary and worn, Nought did they care for- the raging storm j But the watchful guard, with vigilant eye, Oft paced the deck with a heavy sigh. And the tall masts creaked, And the night birds shrieked, And the tempest with fury its vengeance wreaked. Sudden the sentinel's cry was heard — Up sprang the crew at that warning word ; But each heart sank low, and each face was pale, Aa louder and louder swept on the gale, For the strong masts beat^ And the sails were rent, And the ship lay like a reed in the blast now bent. Ten or was written on each white face, Grim Death approached with, a steady pace ; And lips moved with the words of prayer, While others cursed in their mad despair ; But their doom was sealad, For the brave ship reeled, And the lightning flashed and the thunder pealed Sudden she struck with adeafening roar, The furiouß waves o'er the vessel tore ; One long, loud wail from her hapless crew, And the barque with a craslrwas rent in two. Oh, mourn ye and weep, Who your glad watch keep, Eor the mariners rest far down in the deep. Cold and still in a watery grave, While over them ever roils on the blue wave ; Down in the deep unfathomless sea, Buried for ever from life and from thee. Oh, glad hearts shall quail, > AthJ merry lips pale, And mirth be changed to a mournful wail. - !