Classic Poem

1

A ship rides gaily on the waves
And pennons flutter at the mast,
On board all's bustle, of her stay
That moment is the last.

2

Now friends are breathing long farewells,
And all on shore do wave adieu,
And midst the shoutings of the crowd
Westward the good ship flew.

3

Prayers for their luck and prosp'rous wind
Do follow her from all, till she
Does seem, to every gazer there
A speck upon the sea.

4

The time flew on, no tidings came,
Twixt doubt and fear their friends are tost,
Still hoping on but inwardly
All fearing they are lost.

5

And many a mother mourns her son,
Who in that luckless ship set out
In health, rejoicing in his life
No more to turn about.

6

No more his home and friends to see,
No more be welcomed back to land,
But in the ocean's farthest depths
Lie buried in the sand.

*****

7

The crested waves heaved high aloft,
And spray was flying to the sky,
The sea gulls shrieked, black masses sent
To heaven, are towering high.

8

Midst all a brave ship laboured hard,
By the great gusts her mast was bent,
And now she mounted on the waves,
Now down a gulf was sent.

9

Now sank her prow immerged in foam,
And now she out the water leapt;
She strained, and creaked, by little she
Together now is kept.

10

The captain stands upon the deck,
The speaking trumpet in his hands,
Each sail was tightened, but as soon
The tempest cracked the bands.

11

The passengers below do stay,
Down on their knees, some mad for fear,
All hope is gone — the sailors drop,
Nor do the orders hear.

12

— Now launch the boat, — — 'tis vain, 'tis vain! —
A crack — she splits, — Oh! save us, save! —
One moment waters rush around,
The ship's beneath the wave!