76
SCENE AFTER A HURRICANE.
With life and health, perchance elate
With happiness o'erflowing.
With happiness o'erflowing.
Redeemed from the devouring tide,
The empty caskets now are borne,
Each to his own beloved fireside,—
Alas that thus they should return!
The empty caskets now are borne,
Each to his own beloved fireside,—
Alas that thus they should return!
The animating spirits fled,
Ah! what avails the lifeless clay?
The piercing "keen cry" o'er the dead
With empty sound shall pass away!
Ah! what avails the lifeless clay?
The piercing "keen cry" o'er the dead
With empty sound shall pass away!
But let not thus the warning pass
Which issues from their humble biers,
As many a warning voice, alas!
Is heard with dull and deathlike ears.
Which issues from their humble biers,
As many a warning voice, alas!
Is heard with dull and deathlike ears.
The winds repeat the solemn sound,
The waters in each rushing wave;
Destruction both have scattered round,
And yawned hath many an early grave!
The waters in each rushing wave;
Destruction both have scattered round,
And yawned hath many an early grave!
