XIII.] THE BLACK DEATH. 243 



See, the shifting groups are fringing 



Rock and ridge with gay attire, 

 Bright as Northern streamers tinging 



Peak and crag with fitful fire ! 



II. 



Towards the cliff their steps are bending, 



Westward turns their eager gaze, 

 Whence a stately ship ascending, 



Slowly cleaves the golden haze. 

 Landward floats the apparition — 



" Is it, can it be the same ? " . 

 Frantic cries of recognition 



Shout a lon^-lost vessel's name ! 



III. 



Years ago had she departed — 



Castled poop and gilded stern ; 

 Weeping women, broken-hearted, 



Long had waited her return. 

 When the midnight sun wheeled downwards, 



But to kiss the ocean's verge — 

 When the noonday sun, a moment 



Peeped above the Wintry surge, 



IV. 



• . Childless mothers, orphaned daughters, 



From the seaward-facing crag, 

 Vainly searched the vacant waters 



For that unreturning flag ! 

 But, suspense and tears are ended, 



Lo ! it floats upon the breeze ! 

 Ne'er from eager hearts ascended 



Thankful prayers as warm as these. 



See the good ship proudly rounding 



That last point that blocks the view ; 

 " Strange ! no answering cheer resounding 



From the long home-parted crew ! " 

 Past the harbour's stony gateway, 



Onwards borne by sucking tides, 

 Tho' the light wind faileth— straightway 



Into port she safely glides. 



