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the last of the gascoignes.
No Allan answered to that much-loved name!
Scarcely had they left the wrecked ship's side,
When on the bowsprit he was by them descried.
Earnestly yet in vain his hand he waved,
Imploring his friends his life to save!—
Alas! it was too late; the frigate reeled,
Then to her sad fate she was forced to yield,
Sinking through the dark waters eddying crest,
And lost for ever in their deep and lonely breast.
"Gascoigne," said Martin, as he spoke once more,
"We are alone, and not on a friendly shore:—
What is that which clings to yonder spar?
And which to windward lies away so far?
Nearer to us I see 'tis being quickly borne;
Is it a shipmate who has outlived the storm?"
"If so Martin, to him I'll strive to swim,—
I feel to leave him thus, would be a fearful sin."
"We," said Gascoigne, "hope still we may be saved.
How can we then leave another to a certain grave!"
Out on his noble mission Gascoigne boldly went,
Feeling he was by heaven spared and sent.
How bravely he battled with the eddying wave,
To save another from a lone ocean grave!!
Soon by him the floating spar was gained,
Or had his gallant efforts proved in vain.
Scarcely had they left the wrecked ship's side,
When on the bowsprit he was by them descried.
Earnestly yet in vain his hand he waved,
Imploring his friends his life to save!—
Alas! it was too late; the frigate reeled,
Then to her sad fate she was forced to yield,
Sinking through the dark waters eddying crest,
And lost for ever in their deep and lonely breast.
"Gascoigne," said Martin, as he spoke once more,
"We are alone, and not on a friendly shore:—
What is that which clings to yonder spar?
And which to windward lies away so far?
Nearer to us I see 'tis being quickly borne;
Is it a shipmate who has outlived the storm?"
"If so Martin, to him I'll strive to swim,—
I feel to leave him thus, would be a fearful sin."
"We," said Gascoigne, "hope still we may be saved.
How can we then leave another to a certain grave!"
Out on his noble mission Gascoigne boldly went,
Feeling he was by heaven spared and sent.
How bravely he battled with the eddying wave,
To save another from a lone ocean grave!!
Soon by him the floating spar was gained,
Or had his gallant efforts proved in vain.
