144
LEFT ASHORE.
To the dancing boat,—and he went too,—And lightly the wind that morning blew.
Many a time had one and allGone out before to the deep-sea haul;Many a time come rowing backAgainst the tide of the Merrimack,With shining freight, and a reddening sailFlapping loose in the idle gale;While over them faded the evening glow,With stars above and with stars below,Trolling and laughing, a welcome din,To me, and the warm shore making in.
Then why that day, as I watched the boat,Did I remember the midnight roteThat rolled a signal across my sleepOf the storm that cried from deep to deep,Plunging along in its eager hasteAcross the desert and desolate waste,Far off through the heart of the gray mid seas,To rob me forever of all my ease?Oh, I know not: I only knowThat sound was the warning of my woe.
