harold, the wanderer.
43
And the thunder reverberates long and loud;
Neither moon nor stars in the heavens are seen,
But in the far west the fork'd lightening's gleam.
The stormy petrel, startled from his rest,
Skims o'er the rising billows' foaming crest.
"Ernold," said he, "this bodes a fearful night,
There's not a star our course to guide or light!—
Oh! Ernold, how I fear the tempestuous blast,
And I shudder as each rising wave comes past!"
"Remember, Harold, there is One that ever keeps
A watchful eye on all when on the pathless deep."
Now there comes the storm's first piercing wail,—
A moment!—and the vessel flies before the gale!
Around her yards St. Elmo's fitful fires play,
As with bare poles she speeds upon her way.
Now she mounts some giant wave
Yawning as though 'twould be her grave.
Back the glittering foam she throws,
Then sinking in the billows trough,
And dashing back the cloud of spray,
Once more speeds on her lonely way.
A thunder peal!—A lurid flash!—
The tall mast falls with a sudden crash;
Then o'er her sweeps a mountain wave,—
Carrying young Ernold to a sailor's grave!
A shriek rings through the raging storm,
Neither moon nor stars in the heavens are seen,
But in the far west the fork'd lightening's gleam.
The stormy petrel, startled from his rest,
Skims o'er the rising billows' foaming crest.
"Ernold," said he, "this bodes a fearful night,
There's not a star our course to guide or light!—
Oh! Ernold, how I fear the tempestuous blast,
And I shudder as each rising wave comes past!"
"Remember, Harold, there is One that ever keeps
A watchful eye on all when on the pathless deep."
Now there comes the storm's first piercing wail,—
A moment!—and the vessel flies before the gale!
Around her yards St. Elmo's fitful fires play,
As with bare poles she speeds upon her way.
Now she mounts some giant wave
Yawning as though 'twould be her grave.
Back the glittering foam she throws,
Then sinking in the billows trough,
And dashing back the cloud of spray,
Once more speeds on her lonely way.
A thunder peal!—A lurid flash!—
The tall mast falls with a sudden crash;
Then o'er her sweeps a mountain wave,—
Carrying young Ernold to a sailor's grave!
A shriek rings through the raging storm,
