The White Squall.
The sea was bright, and the bark rode well,1
The breeze bore the tone of the vesper bell
:2
’Twas a gallant bark, with crew as brave3
As ever launch’d on the heaving wave ;4
She shone in the light of declining day,5
And each sail was set, and each heart was gay.6
They near’d the land where in beauty smiles7
The sunny shore of the Grecian isles :8
All thought of home, of that welcome dear9
Which soon should greet each wanderer’s ear ;10
And in fancy join’d the social throng11
In the festive dance and the joyous song.12
A white cloud glides though the azure sky.—13
What means that wild despairing cry ?14
Farewell the vision’d scenes of home !—15
That cry is “ Help !” where no help can come ;16
For the white squall rides on the surging wave,17
And the bark is gulf’d in an ocean grave.18