LOSS OF THE COSPATRICK.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1886, 19 January 1875, Page 2

LOSS OF THE COSPATRICK.

bpkkt at sxa olt the cape of good hopi, November 19th, 1874.

A voice of woe id heard Resounding through the land, And hearts are bowed with grief, And eyes o'er spread with hand ; Whilo tears fall fast, Like ) aindrops cast, From blackest Of summer cloud. Borne is the direful tule, Through air and earth it sped, And swift along the main j And through its oozy bed. (Waft by a gale, Was mournful wail— Sad, sullen groan . And dying moan). It pierced a nation's core, Whence well'd forth sympathy; And from her throbbing breast A cry went up to Thee, Great God above, Great source of love, To help and bless The comfortless. ; Eesolved to leave their old A better home to find, They brave the dangerous deep And fierce tempestuous wind. With hope as bright As noon-day light, And not o«e fear Of fate so drear. Four hundred souls and more, By count, near threescore, Brave crew, and captain too, The ship Cospatrick bore. Proudly and gay She goes her way, And tracks with haste O'er watery waste. At morn the sun arose, And spread his flood of light, Mantling the sea and sky With radiant huea andgbright. Bid man rejoice With heart and voice, And homage pay In cheerful lny. All boundless was the joy Of youth and maid that day, And join'd in mirth the aged; Whose locks were eilt'ry grey. Alas, life's sport Is brief and short, Tinged with regret— With tears oft wet. At eve, in vapours wrapt, Close on the ocean's verge The struggling orb is seen His progress swift to urge. Now sinks from sight, Resigns to night Her silent reign O'er earth and main. To-morrow's sun shall rise To witness soenes of woe; To-morrow's sum at eve O'er lurid planes shall glow. Aud night of gloom Be night of doom To young an ' old, ' And brave and bold. Afar off Afric's Cape, The voyage deem'd half o'er, Reviewed were dangers past, None knew the one in store. To .future blind Each peaceful mind, No foe in view, ■ . , Their plans pursue. No loud appealing Voice . To warn of clanger near; No whispered tono vm heard, But straight the flames appear, Shoot all around And upward bound, And, nought to check, Soon burst on deck. Discordant, fraatic, loud, And shrill s v-arp cry some raise—r Some stand in awe, opell-bound, And mute, with terror guza; While some in rage Fierce conflict wage, On life intent, Each sinew bent. (Oh! »ho ss here to tell What noble deods were done — What gallant men in death, A deathless triumph won. There came but three Across the nea, Gaunt, haggard, pale, To tell that tale.) Fond mother clasps her babe, Close folds it to her breast, While children young—in dread Around their fathers press'd. Who hush their fears And wipe their tears, And say : We must In God put trus\ For help of nan was vain, . And succour none at hand. Envelop'd in a blaze!— The ship was far from land! "The boats!", all cry, And huddling fly, — A mighty crush In tumult rush. Wild shrieks, and mad'ning yells, Assail and beat the air, When hurriedly were sought, And fouad, of boats —A Pair ! Of boats a pair! And hundreds there Who stride in vain A piece to gain. Of precious souls, a freight. How soon the boats were full ? And not a moment lost, Away in haste they pull. • No room for more, Now plies each oar, For well they need Their utmost speed. Leaps high the crackling flame, Dense smoke beclouds the sky, Around devoted heads Bright flamirg fire brands fly. From masts and spars Like falling stars, Red bolts and hot In fury shot.

Sound fatt in sight of death, (No power on earth to save) Flames r*und them furious raged Beneath the rolling ware. A farewell claip, A fitful gasp, And in they dash ' With sudden splash. Gome blackest night-, and throw Thy curtain o'*r the wave, '"^ Aad sigh \a winds a dirge For good, ami fair, and braro; m " WKo s!eep in Heath, t^ Wild .waves.beneath; rV A quiet sleep Jk" Down i« the deep, - ■ Of those by boats escaped llow m-\nj h%ve been spared? And ■■ f those ro»cued few What tidings have boom heard t r ... There cuiuc but three Across the s^a, Gaunt 1, haggard, pale, To tell that tale, H.M. The T>>omo«, J»r»mry 18th, 1875;