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SONGS OF COMRADES.
The coast-guard sprang with his heavy strength,
And bore the body down ;
He drew it in to a tomb-like rock, —
The dead man seemed to frown.
The ship went curtseying back to sea,
Like one whose task was done ;
The coast-guard stood, in a daze stood he,
Before the blinding sun.
Of all he rescued from out the sea
He saw one hand alone ;
On all the hand he could only see
One well-remembered stone.
" O ring !" the coast-guard cried,
" How hast thou come to this ?
The ring I gave her, my promised bride,
With many a tear and kiss ?
" Man, didst thou slay my wife ?
Though thou wert three times dead
I would avenge her, would claim thy life
For each dear hair of her head.
