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the midshipman's bible.
As home comes rushing on his soul's unrest,
And to his lips his mother's prize is pressed.
Once in his berth, his boyish courage breaks,
And down his cheeks a tear comes fast which makes
His young heart almost bleed anew with pain,
As home thoughts crowd on his soul again.
Low bent in prayer before the throne of Grace
He kneels, and through clasped hands that shield his face
The burning tears pierce through.—Ah! who shall say
What strength to him is given who thus can pray?
Shall not He who once crossed the crested wave,
And by His word gave proof that He could save,
Fill with a peace beyond all earthly joy,
The heart of that God fearing sailor boy?
Alone he kneels, with only strangers near,
Severed from those who love and call him dear:
But gentle sleep o'ertakes his weary eyes,
Dries up the tear, and stills the heaving sighs.
And to his lips his mother's prize is pressed.
Once in his berth, his boyish courage breaks,
And down his cheeks a tear comes fast which makes
His young heart almost bleed anew with pain,
As home thoughts crowd on his soul again.
Low bent in prayer before the throne of Grace
He kneels, and through clasped hands that shield his face
The burning tears pierce through.—Ah! who shall say
What strength to him is given who thus can pray?
Shall not He who once crossed the crested wave,
And by His word gave proof that He could save,
Fill with a peace beyond all earthly joy,
The heart of that God fearing sailor boy?
Alone he kneels, with only strangers near,
Severed from those who love and call him dear:
But gentle sleep o'ertakes his weary eyes,
Dries up the tear, and stills the heaving sighs.
And weeks fly by: and thus he learns to love
The ocean's waves and starry depths above.
What joy he feels as thus upon the sea
He reads its deep and dreadful mystery!
The ocean's waves and starry depths above.
What joy he feels as thus upon the sea
He reads its deep and dreadful mystery!
