Page:Poems David.djvu/184

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172
the last of the gascoignes.
The poor castaways may see with joy once more.
When the time came for them to land,
Like brothers they shook each other's hand.
As Gascoigne from the noble Duncan did part,
A painful pang flew through his fond heart.
Later still, the kind and good old Martin Brend
Prepared to leave his long and loved friend.
"Gascoigne, for years we have as shipmates roam'd,
Shipwreck and danger we too oft have known;
Remember in time of trouble there is One above
I have from my childhood learnt to love.
Place thy faith in Him who ever is at thy side,
And ever bends His ear to hear the humblest cry."
As Martin sadly and slowly turned away,
Not a parting word could the grieved Gascoigne say.
The once proud heart, now too full to speak,
With rolling tears trickling down his manly cheek.
Martin died, alas! not on his loved native land,
But Africa's dry and sun-scorched strand.
To the frozen north Gascoigne sailed once more,
And there he perished on its cold and icy shore.
Months elapsed, when a floating mast was found
In a lonely and distant foreign sound,
With the frigates name in a half burnt state,
Alas! too truly denoting the ship's hapless fate.