Classic Poem

This is brave Harro's story ,
Harro who watched the sea:
To his renown I set it down
As it was told to me.

Back from the reef-caught vessel
Came Harro's comrades four,
And with them ten half-perished men
Safe landed on the shore.

" And are these all? " asked Harro.
Answered the sailors brave:
" Nay. One lashed high we left to die,
And find an ocean grave. "

Cried Harro: " Who goes with me
To rescue him, the last,
Alive or dead? Shall it be said
We left one on the mast? "

Spoke up his gray-haired mother:
" Oh, Harro boy, my son,
Go not, I pray! 'T is death they say,
And there is only one!

" Father and brother Uwe
The cruel sea hath slain.
My last art thou. Good Harro, now
Let me not plead in vain! "

Answered brave Harro: " Mother,
Who knows, perchance for him
Under the skies a mother's eyes
To-day with tears grow dim.

" Farewell! God watches over
The fields of flying foam,
And He shall keep us on the deep,
And safely bring us home. "

Wild was the storm-swept ocean,
And like a fragile leaf
The lifeboat tossed long ere it crossed
Unto the distant reef.

Wild was the sea, and madly
Ever the tempest blew,
While down the track came Harro back
With one beside the crew.

Hard to the oars his comrades
Bent in the shrieking gale;
And Harro cried, when land he spied,
" Thank God, we shall not fail! "

And when he saw his mother
Pacing the shore in tears,
Loud over all the storm his call
Brought gladness to her ears.

Over and over he shouted,
And high his cap he waved:
" God gives thee joy! God sends thy boy!
'T is Uwe we have saved! "

Such is brave Harro's story,
Harro who watched the sea:
To his renown I set it down
As it was told to me.