8 'Blue as the cloudless sky was the wide sea, And, as the crested billows towards us roll'd, We saw the emblems of their heraldry, Emeralds in silver set and rimm'd with gold. 9 'On the firm, glistening sands your slender feet Left their light imprint, and more steps I traced That show'd the marks of buskins small and neat, Soon like the tracks of life to be effaced.' 10 Thoughtful the lady looks, as well she may, Whither I say God speed him!' and she smiles. 11 We wish yon straggling barks were safely moor'd, And bid the gulls farewell, nor loth retire Homeward to a bright hearth and genial board, Where o'er the surge once flash'd the beacon-fire. 12 'Tis midnight: from Heaven's vault the lightnings leap, Thunders reverberate from cliff and cave, Tornado-blasts o'er the fall'n donjon sweep, Threatening to hurl its ruins to the wave. 13 Do the lorn seabirds still their clefts retain, Or has the gale dispersed the shrieking flock? How fare the ships on the wild, starless Main, Toss'd to the cloud, or dash'd on fathomless rock ? 14 No slumber seals the lady's lids this night, Or, if she sleeps, she does of shipwreck dream, And wakes to pray and watch, till morning light O'er reeling hulls and floating spars shall gleam. THE CLOUDS ABOVE US GATHER. 1 The clouds above us gather, Bleak winds sweep o'er the lea, And round us heavy troubles Are swelling like yon sea; But 'gainst the storm our dwelling And, firm in love, our bosoms Will bear Time's rudest shock. 2 The leaves have long ceased falling, And stir not on the ground; With snows our humble rooftree Like our own brows is crown'd: But what of that, dear helpmate? Your smile dispels the chill; And the hearth burns bright as ever Since you are with me still. 3 But Death is fast approaching, And Sickness, his wan herald, Does on the threshold wait : We wish the weird intruder Would change his mind and leave; If not, we will with patience The unlook'd for guest receive. |