Classic Poem

Le prisonnier.

" Queen of the waves! thy light bark speed along,
And sing, whilst Echo lengthens out thy song
Clear is the stream and calm; soft breezes blow;
Queen of the waves, Heaven smiles; thy light bark swiftly row! "

Thus through the bars a captive pours his lay,
Who sees the fairest maiden, day by day,
Hold, o'er the waves that bathe his prison-walls, her way.

" Queen of the waves! thy light bark speed along,
And sing, whilst Echo lengthens out thy song.
Clear is the stream and calm; soft breezes blow;
Queen of the waves, Heaven smiles; thy light bark swiftly row!
" I, in life's prime doomed to the captive's fate,
In this old fortress lone and desolate,
Await each day thy course as freedom I await.

" Queen of the waves! thy light bark speed along,
And sing, whilst Echo lengthens out thy song
Clear is the stream and calm; soft breezes blow;
Queen of the waves, Heaven smiles; thy light bark swiftly row!

" The water gives thine image, tall and fair;
Thy bust is seen in happy outline there.
Whom doth thy sail obey? is't Love's, or Zephyr's care?

" Queen of the waves! thy light bark speed along,
And sing, whilst Echo lengthens out thy song.
Clear is the stream and calm; soft breezes blow;
Queen of the waves, Heaven smiles; thy light bark swiftly row

" What hope intoxicates my heart! set free
From this strong-hold, soon shall I cling to thee,
My liberator! bliss on the other shore must be.

" Queen of the waves! thy light bark speed along,
And sing, whilst Echo lengthens out thy song
Clear is the stream and calm; soft breezes blow;
Queen of the waves, Heaven smiles; thy light bark swiftly row!

" Thy course is stayed; methinks, thy drooping eye
Melts at my woes. Alas! thou passest by,
Like evanescent hope — thou'rt gone, and I must die!

" Queen of the waves! thy light bark speed along,
And sing, whilst Echo lengthens out thy song
Clear is the stream and calm; soft breezes blow;
Queen of the waves, Heaven smiles; thy light bark swiftly row

" Snatched from me, then, is that enchanting dream!
But no — thy hands outstretched in pity seem:
Star of my life, for me, to-morrow thou shalt beam!

" Queen of the waves! thy light bark speed along,
And sing, whilst Echo lengthens out thy song
Clear is the stream and calm; soft breezes blow;
Queen of the waves, Heaven smiles; thy light bark swiftly row! "