Poems (Terry, 1861)/The lost anchor
THE LOST ANCHOR.
There lies a rusted anchor Deep in the white sea-sand;Where trails the good ship's cable That parted, strand by strand?
The north-wind roared and thundered, The leaping waves ran high;Dark on the foaming water Shut down the stormy sky.
But still the lithe mast quivered Under the flapping sail;The cordage shrieked and rattled, And yelled the furious gale.
One strain—one plunge—one struggle— The mighty strands give way—Now far from home and harbor, Away, away, away!
Beyond the sight of shelter, Far out her stern-lights shine.Poor ship, to lose thine anchor, Poor broken hope of mine!