Page:Poems David.djvu/89

And "we wait for you" an old sailor cried,
"Quick, ere we cut the ropes away!"
"No, no, my lads" cried Captain Grey,
"By my gallant ship I must stay,
Nought shall sever my bark and me
But the wild and foaming sea.
My painful duty bids me to stay,
May the good God speed ye on your way!"
Tears now filled the poor boys' dark eyes,
And with an imploring voice he cried
"Leave, oh! leave the ship dear Captain Grey,
As time cannot admit of further delay.
In the name of your friends I entreat you to fly,
As to stay is madness!—It is but to die!"
"I'll trust to providence, whate'er be my fate;
Oh! look to thyself boy, ere 'tis too late!"
"No, no, dear captain, that must not be,
I would rather live and die with thee."
And then springing to the vessel's side,
Took up an axe, the ropes to divide,—
One moment, and from the battered wreck,
The last of the remaining boats was swept.
Alone on the wide and pathless deep,
Where the albatross its lone watch doth keep,
The flying fish dart through the ocean's spray;
Alone on the deep were the castaways!