Poems (Barker)/The Fishers Wife

by Alice J. Green Barker

The Fisher's Wife.

"Hush your moaning baby Willie!
Hush your moaning so to-night,
Papa's coming, surely coming,
Up the bay at candle light.
And I have delayed to light it
T1ll each cot along the shore,
Twinkles like a star in Heaven—
Darling, I will wait no more.

"Hush, my baby! hear the breakers
Dashing on the rocky coast,
Do you know my precious wee one,
How your father's boat is tossed?
But he'll come—I know it darling,
For he never broke his word!
How the wind is sweeping seaward,
E'en our little cot is stirred.

"Hush your wailing, Willie darling,
Closer lie to mother's heart.
Still its painful throbs, my baby,
Kiss the tears back when they start!
Hark was that a footstep, Willie?
No! the wild wind answers now,
Are you sleeping, baby darling?
With a smile upon your brow.

"Wake my baby, cheer your mother!
I had rather hear you moan,
Weeping for the absent loved one
Than be with my fears alone.
Oh! I see that bark so fragile
On the wild sea rudely tossed:
God, in pity spare my husband,
Let, oh let him not be lost!

"Look up, Willie, baby darling,
Father'll surely come to-night,
For he told me he'd be sailing
Up the bay at candle light.
Now the lights are brightly shining
All along the rocky shore,
And my own is in the window,
Come my husband, I implore!

What is that? Oh! hark, my baby!
Hear that step upon the stone;
God be praised! my darling Willie,
We'll no longer be alone.
See him baby; oh my husband!
O, my love, my joy, my life."
On the broad and loving bosom
Sank the thankful fisher's wife.

And the baby ceased its moaning,
Smiled, and laid its tiny hand
On the bowed head of the mother,
Happiest woman in the land.
"I have kept my promise, Jennie,
Many barks went down to-night,
But my own came safely sailing
Up the bay at candle light."