Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Halcyon

The Halcyon.

The mariners with lightsome heartFrom their late sheltering cove depart,Spreading with joy the snowy sailTo catch the favourable gale;And why? Because their curious sightHad marked the Halcyon's landward flight:Heralds of peace, to seamen dear,They go their tender brood to rear.The fearless bird in patience broods,Till fourteen suns have gift the floods,And fourteen nights their dews have shedUpon her unprotected head:Then, from their silver prison free,Her nestlings seek the tranquil sea;And soon, in azure plumage drest,Forsake the shelter of the nest;But till those watching hours are past,Lest sudden swell or angry blastDestroy the Halcyon's fragile brood,The God of Nature stills the flood.

Oh, Christian pilgrim! mark the careBestowed upon the fowls of air;And learn to check each anxious thought,That would a Father's mercy doubt.The clouds of earth are round thee now,The storm is high, thy hopes are low;But raise thy drooping head and see,By faith the rest reserved for thee;Servant of Christ, to thee are givenThe endless halcyon days of heaven.