Slightly ajar it stood, at their touch
Swinging back, to their eyes disclosed
A sight that held each enchanted, such
Was the heavenly vision that there reposed.
Swinging back, to their eyes disclosed
A sight that held each enchanted, such
Was the heavenly vision that there reposed.
The heavy mahogany furniture stood
Each piece in its own appointed place,
Unmoved by the strong intruding flood
That pressed its way into every place;
Each piece in its own appointed place,
Unmoved by the strong intruding flood
That pressed its way into every place;
In the upper berth of the cabin lay
A fair young lady, as if she slept,
From her brow the dark hair swept away
Like seaweed strands, in the glistening depth.
A fair young lady, as if she slept,
From her brow the dark hair swept away
Like seaweed strands, in the glistening depth.
'Round her a gaily hued wrap was flung
Heavily, carelessly, as in mirth,
And one little jeweled hand was hung
Over the side of the upper berth.
Heavily, carelessly, as in mirth,
And one little jeweled hand was hung
Over the side of the upper berth.
Over her beautiful oval face,
Perfect in womanhood's early dawn,
And the dark brow's peaceful, pensive grace
Was left no sign that life was gone.
Perfect in womanhood's early dawn,
And the dark brow's peaceful, pensive grace
Was left no sign that life was gone.
Dreamily the closed lids reposed
Their silken fringe on the rounded cheek,
Scarce had one started, had they unclosed
And the child-like lips have moved to speak;
Their silken fringe on the rounded cheek,
Scarce had one started, had they unclosed
And the child-like lips have moved to speak;
And the crimson curtain drawn aside
The rings of its silver rod below,
The rings of its silver rod below,
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