Poems.
125
Safety, but little deemed that death was
Hovering 'round them; when the sad sound,
"The boat 's on fire!" came like a thunder-
Bolt to each one's heart. The appalling
Cry is echoed all around; they scarce
Believe they hear aright; transfixed they
Stand for one brief moment, in breathless
Silence, with affrighted gaze. Again,
"The boat 's on fire!" meets their astounded
Ears; madly they rush on deck; the flames
Are bursting forth, above, below, around;
With frenzied feelings they look in vain
For succor; death stares them in the face,
For two devouring elements seem
Waiting to engulph them; in haste they
Seek the boats, imagining to find,
Security within them; but the
Treacherous waves deny them safety.
How many hearts, riven with anguish,
Hold, trembling on the vessel's side, till
Exhausted strength, or fire's heat, sinks them
Beneath the wave. Others leap, in wild,
Despairing hopelessness, upon the
Water's breast, seeking a plank, or but
A straw to gain, to buoy them up. Vain
Hope, and brief as vain! death closed the
Tragic scene.
Hovering 'round them; when the sad sound,
"The boat 's on fire!" came like a thunder-
Bolt to each one's heart. The appalling
Cry is echoed all around; they scarce
Believe they hear aright; transfixed they
Stand for one brief moment, in breathless
Silence, with affrighted gaze. Again,
"The boat 's on fire!" meets their astounded
Ears; madly they rush on deck; the flames
Are bursting forth, above, below, around;
With frenzied feelings they look in vain
For succor; death stares them in the face,
For two devouring elements seem
Waiting to engulph them; in haste they
Seek the boats, imagining to find,
Security within them; but the
Treacherous waves deny them safety.
How many hearts, riven with anguish,
Hold, trembling on the vessel's side, till
Exhausted strength, or fire's heat, sinks them
Beneath the wave. Others leap, in wild,
Despairing hopelessness, upon the
Water's breast, seeking a plank, or but
A straw to gain, to buoy them up. Vain
Hope, and brief as vain! death closed the
Tragic scene.
