Poems (Bass)/At Sea
For works with similar titles, see At Sea.
AT SEA.
Afar the timid moonbeams shyly creep Behind a purple pall of clouds so drear, It smites the captain's loyal heart with fear;Vainly would he a keener vigil keep, Yet few would dream the traitor, Danger, near, Till through yon misty curtain clean and clear And swift the gleaming lights of death appear.Twin-born, Alas! men waken from sweet sleepToo late to seek escape; the vessel thrills In ev'ry nerve, an almost human groanWells from her tortured breast, she reels, she fills. A hundred anguished souls for mercy moan—But kindly, Time, the storm of terror stills And meek Diana treads the night alone.