Kneel down by the side of the tearful fair, Kneel down by the dying sinner's side, Kneel down at the couch of departing faith, For his last thoughts are God's, his last words prayer. The voice of prayer at the sable bier! A voice to sustain, to soothe, and to cheer. It commends the spirit to God who gave; It lifts the thoughts from the cold, dark grave; The voice of prayer in the world of bliss! Awake, awake, and gird up thy strength Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise, Effect of the Ocean and its Scenery on the Mind of the Buccaneer when agitated with Remorse for his Crime.RICHARD H. DANA. WHO's yonder on that long, black ledge, See! there he sits, and pulls the sedge- So weak and pale? A year and little more, And on the shingles now he sits, And rolls the pebbles 'neath his hands; And scores the smooth, wet sands; Then tries each cliff, and cove, and jut, that bounds They ask him why he wanders so, But I would go by land; And there's no way that I can find-I've tried All day and night!"-He looked towards sea, and sighed. It brought the tear to many an eye, He shook." You know the spirit-horse I ride! He views the ships that come and go, Of bright and broad-spread wings Flinging a glory round them, as they keep Their course right onward through the unsounded deep. And where the far-off sand-bars lift Their backs in long and narrow line, The breakers shout, and leap, and shift, Into the air; then rush to mimic strife:- But not to Lee. He sits alone; Borne down by wo, he makes no moan, That asking eye.-O, how his worn thoughts crave— The rocks are dripping in the mist Scarce seen the running breakers;-list Their dull and smothered roar ! Lee hearkens to their voice." I hear, I hear And now the mist seems taking shape, Lee kneels, but cannot pray.-Why mock him so? A sweet, low voice, in starry nights, Its tones come winding up those heights, And he must listen, till the stars grow dim, The song that gentle voice doth sing to him. O, it is sad that aught so mild Should bind the soul with bands of fear; That strains to soothe a little child The man should dread to hear! But sin hath broke the world's sweet peace-unstrung The harmonious chords to which the angels sung. In thick, dark nights, he'd take his seat With savage roar, then pause and gather strength. But thou no more shalt haunt the beach, Nor go the round of all that reach, Watching the swaying weeds:—another day, The third and last Appearance of the Spectre Horse and the TO-NIGHT the charmed number's told. So hears his soul, and fears the coming night; Again he sits within that room; Weakened with fear, lone, haunted by remorse, Not long he'll wait.-Where now are gone Of airy glory?-Sudden darkness fell; The darkness, like a dome of stone, How hard Lee draws his breath! He shudders as he feels the working Power. 'Tis close at hand; for there, once more, Twice thus she hither came ; But now she rolls a naked hulk, and throws And where she sank, up slowly came He treads the waters as a solid floor: He's moving on. Lee waits him at the door. They've met." I know thou com'st for me," "I know that I must go with thee- Take me not to the dead. It was not I alone that did the deed!" Lee cannot turn. There is a force In that fixed eye, which holds him fast. "O, spare me," cries the wretch," thou fearful one!"My time is full-I must not go alone." "I'm weak and faint. O, let me stay!" -"Nay, murderer, rest nor stay for thee!" He bears him to the sea. Hark! how the spectre breathes through this still night! He's on the beach; but stops not there. Holds him by fearful spell;-he cannot leap. It lights the sea around their track— They're seen no more; the night has shut them in. |