A SHIPWRECK. 235 



upon the offing, where a ship was dimly seen battling 

 the raging elements. It seemed a fearful struggle. 

 Up she rose into full view, and then she disappeared 

 behind the waves ; again she rises, as the seas lift 

 her on high ; again she vanishes from sight, or but 

 her reeling masts are visible ; she is evidently driving 

 rapidly on shore. 



It is by no means our intention, gentle reader, to 

 lay before you in detail the horrors of a shipwreck ; 

 too frequently, alas ! does the sad reality of such a 

 terrible episode break in upon the tranquillity of a re- 

 sidence upon the sea- coast. But oh ! the agony, the 

 prayers, the breathless silence, and the stifled groans 

 of the spectators, as that ill-fated vessel nears her 

 doom, and yields to the audacious waves, that seem 

 to triumph in their victory ! 



"High o'er the ship they throw a horrid shade, 

 And o'er her burst in terrible cascade. 

 Uplifted on the surge, to heaven she flies, 

 Her shatter'd top half-buried in the skies j 

 Then headlong plunging, thunders on the ground 

 Earth groans, air trembles, and the deeps resound. 

 Her giant bulk the dread concussion feels, 

 And quivering with the wound, in torment reels ! 

 Again she plunges \ Hark ! a second shock 

 Tears her strong bottom on the marble rock. 

 Down on the vale of death with dismal cries 

 The fated victims, shuddering, roll their eyes 

 In wild despair ; while yet another stroke 

 With deep convulsion rends the solid oak : 

 Till like the mine, in whose infernal cell 

 The lurking demons of destruction dwell, 

 At length asunder torn, her frame divides, 

 And, crashing, spreads the ruin o'er the tides." 



