Poems (Curwen)/A Plea for the Lifeboat

by Annie Isabel Curwen

A Plea for the Lifeboat.

There is no worthier cause in our dear land
 Than this great cause for which we plead to-day.
Who would not help the brave, heroic band
 Who oft have robbed the wild sea of its prey,
Facing death boldly in their passage to
The sinking ship to save its drowning crew.
When the great deep, storm-lashed, in fury roars,
 The elements engaged in angry strife,
The gallant lifeboat leaves our wreck-strewn shores
 On mercy's errand bent, to rescue life.
While we around our firesides snug and warm
List shuddering to the voices of the storm.
Fond husbands many are of loving wives,
 Fond fathers, too, of little children, dear,
Yet they unflinchingly do risk their lives
 When danger threatens some good ship anear.
And often wife and children have to mourn
For those who venture forth, ne'er to return.
Heroes indeed are these lifeboatmen bold,
 Worthy to rank among our warrior sons.
Then who will grudge their silver pence or gold
 To aid them and their wives and little ones?
Who, who? will turn a deaf ear to the plea,
 Help for the lifeboat's heroes of the sea.