Classic Poem

Cold is the blast along the dreary shore,
The giant billows beat—the whirlwinds roar!
Sweet hope grows pale—and terror's gloomy form
Stalks with majestic sadness thro' the storm.
More sad, more tender—and too cold to weep,
Griev'd pity stands, affrighted o'er the deep,—
Sees the rich vessel on the surges lost
And grasps the trembling hope by reason lost—
Oh, where are those—that brave and martial throng
Who gentle expectation trac'd so long?
Trac'd them thro' dangers—thro' the adverse scene
To England's darling shore, and home serene,
Mark'd ev'ry page which told the warrior's way,
And form'd its glowing wreath of welcome gay?
Alas—affliction bending o'er the wave
With sighs, may now behold their wat'ry grave,
And in the blast she hears, with gasping breath
The groans of anguish, and the dirge of death.
Oh gentle pity!—shou'd affection's band
On the bleak shore, with looks enquiring stand
To ask a son's—a brother's, husband's fate!—
With cautious tenderness the tale relate!
Untold the dreadful scene with softest art
That ever sooth'd the wounded, bleeding heart!
Tell it—tho' raging billows form'd a tomb
Name in her court, shall bid their honours bloom,
Whilst many an humbler scene with Chertsey pays
A mournful sigh of gratitude and praise!—
Say—'twas by Heaven's decree, a transient blow
No ling'ring pang—that laid the warriors low!
Tell them oh pity! of that blissful shore
Where “life's tumultuous waves shall beat no more”
And “roughest winds may sometimes best convey
The struggling vessel to the realms of day,”—
Then brighter far than fable ever gave,
Ideal beauty, rising from the wave
Shall heavenly patience, exquisitely fair
Rise from the gulph of horror and despair!—
For those who still survive, a gallant train,
Spring from the fetters of the angry main
Endear'd by absence and by dangers past,
To life, to joy, to hope restor'd at last!
Whilst fame and gen'rous love its feast prepares,
May pious praise, and gratitude be theirs!
And oh! while history midst her treasur'd heap.
For R ATHBONE'S noble cares, a page shall keep
Rank'd with the kind, the merciful, the brave,
Rager to serve, and vigilant to save:
May solemn memory guard that awful hour
When mercy watch'd them with its guardian power
And swift deliv'rance with celestial form
Snatch'd them victorious, from the dreadful storm.