Page images
PDF
EPUB

ness. There was something about him, which spoke of better days and a higher destiny. By what errors or misfortunes he was reduced to his humble condition, was a secret which he would reveal to none. Silent, reserved, and thoughtful, he stood a stranger among his free companions, and never was his voice heard in the laughter or the jest. He has undoubtedly left behind many who will long look for his Iturn, and bitterly weep when they are told they shall see his face no more.

4. As the remains of the poor sailor were brought up on deck, wound in that hammock which, through many a stormy night, had swung to the wind, one could not but observe the big tear that stole unconsciously down the rough cheeks of his hardy companions. When the funeral service was read to that most affecting passage, "we commit this body to the deep," and the plank was raised which precipitated to the momentary eddy of the wave the quickly disappearing form, a heavy sigh from those around, told that the strong heart of the sailor can be touched with grief, and that a truly unaffected sorrow may accompany virtue, in its most unpretending form, to its ocean grave. Yet how soon is such a scene forgotten!

"As from the wing the sky no scar retains,

The parted wave no furrow from the keel,
So dies in human hearts the thought of death."

5. There is something peculiarly melancholy and impressive in a burial at sea: there is here no coffin or hearse, procession or tolling bell,-nothing that gradually prepares us for the final separation. The body is wound in the drapery of its couch, much as if the deceased were only in a quiet and temporary sleep. In these habiliments of seeming slumber, it is dropped into the wave, the waters close over it, the vessel passes quickly on, and not a solitary trace is left to

tell where sunk from light and life, one that loved to look at the sky and breathe this vital air.

6. There is nothing that, for one moment, can point to the deep, unvisited resting-place of the departed, it is a grave in the midst of the ocean,-in the midst of a vast, untrodden solitude. Affection can not approach it, with its tears; the dews of heaven can not reach it; and there is around it no violet, or shrub, or murmuring stream.

7. It may be superstitious; but no advantages of wealth, or honor, or power, through life, would reconcile me at its close to such a burial. I would rather share the coarse and scanty provisions of the simplest cabin, and drop away unknown and unhonored by the world, so that my final restingplace be beneath some green tree, by the side of some living stream, or in some familiar spot, where the few that loved me in life, might visit me in death.

8. But, whether our grave be in the fragrant shade, or in the fathomless ocean, among our kindred, or in the midst of strangers, the day is coming when we shall all appear at one universal bar, and receive from a righteous Judge the award of our deeds. He that is wisest, penetrates the future the deepest.

QUESTIONS.-1. What is said of death? 2. What, of death at sea? 3. What renders a burial at sea peculiarly melancholy and impressive?

LESSON XCV.

MYS TE' RI OUS, secret; mystical.
UN RECK' ED, unheeded.

AR' GO SIE$, ships of great burden.
WRÄTH' FUL, furious; raging.
PAL' A CE$, splendid mansions.

SCORN' FUL, disdainful.
DE CAY', ruin; destruction.
BOOM' ING, roaring.
FES' TAL, joyous; merry.
RE CLAIM', claim again; recover.

THE TREASURES OF THE DEEP.

MRS. HEMANS.

1. WHAT hid'st thou in thy treasure-caves and cells?
Thou hollow-sounding and mysterious main !
Pale, glistening pearls, and rainbow-colored shells,
Bright things which gleam unrecked of, and in vain!
Keep, keep thy riches, melancholy sea!

We ask not such from thee.

2. Yet more, the depths have more! what wealth untold,
Far down, and shining through their stillness lies!
Thou hast the starry gems, the burning gold,
Won from ten thousand royal argosies!

Sweep o'er thy spoils, thou wild and wrathful main !
Earth claims not these again.

3. Yet more, the depths have more! thy waves have rolled Above the cities of a world gone by!

Sand hath filled up the palaces of old,
Sea-weed o'ergrown the halls of revelry.
Dash o'er them, Ocean! in thy scornful play!
Man yields them to decay.

4. Yet more, the billows and the depths have more ! High hearts and brave are gathered to thy breast! They hear not now the booming waters roar;

The battle-thunders will not break their rest. Keep thy red gold and gems, thou stormy grave! Give back the true and brave!

5. Give back the lost and lovely, those for whom The place was kept at board and hearth so long,

The prayer went up through midnight's breathless gloom,
And the vain yearning woke 'midst festal song!
Hold fast thy buried isles, thy towers o'erthrown;
But all is not thine own.

6. To thee the love of woman hath gone down;
Dark flow thy tides o'er manhood's noble head,
O'er youth's bright locks, and beauty's flowery crown,
Yet must thou hear a voice,- Restore the dead!
Earth shall reclaim her precious things from thee!
Restore the dead, thou Sea!

QUESTIONS.-1. What are some of the treasures of the deep? 2. What treasures has the sea won from trading vessels? 3. Over what does the sea roll? 4. What does the writer call on the sea to restore?

[blocks in formation]

Gently and humanly; Not of the stains of her; All that remains of her Now, is pure womanly.

3. Make no deep scrutiny Into her mutiny,

Rash and undutiful;

Past all dishonor,
Death has left on her
Only the beautiful.

6. Loop up her tresses

Escaped from the comb,Her fair auburn tresses; While wonderment guesses Where was her home?

7 Who was her father? Who was her mother?

Had she a sister'?

Had she a brother'?
Or, was there a dearer one
Still, and a nearer one
Yet, than all other'?

8. Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun!
Oh! it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,
Home she had none.

9. Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly,
Feelings had changed:
Love, by harsh evidence,
Thrown from its eminence;
Even God's providence
Seeming estranged.

10. Where the lamps quiver So far in the river,

With many a light
From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood with amazement,
Houseless by night.

11. The bleak winds of March Made her tremble and shiver. But not the dark arch,

Or the black flowing river,
Mad from life's history,
Glad to death's mystery,

Swift to be hurled-
Anywhere, anywhere,
Out of the world!

12. In she plunged boldly, No matter how coldly

The rough river ran— Picture it-think of it, Dissolute Man!

13. Take her up tenderly, Lift her with care, Fashioned so slenderly, Young, and so fair!

14. Perishing gloomily, Spurred by contumely, Cold inhumanity, Burning insanity,

Into her rest,

Cross her hands humbly,
As if praying dumb.y,
Over her breast!

15. Owning her weakness,
Her evil behavior,
And leaving, with meekness,

Her sins to her Savior!

« PreviousContinue »