238 



THE BARK. 



I watch'd a bark one summer's day 



Go forth all deck'd with colours gay ; 



Her masts were tall, and her sails were white ; 



The sky was clear, and the sun shone bright ; 



And as o'er the waters she glided along 



Merrily sounded the mariner's song. 



I thought, then, as she left the shore. 

 How many barks had gone before 

 With streamers as gay, and sails as white. 

 And crews with hearts as meriy and light. 

 That had never retum'd to glide again 

 Over the calm bay she was leaving then. 



Such was her fate ! — the sun sank down. 

 That night was dark, a threat'ning frown ; 

 Lower 'd o'er the main, the wild winds blew. 

 And the waves dash'd o'er that gallant crew, 

 "Who scarcely had bidden their friends farewell 

 Ere the north wind howl'd their funeral knell. 



Her tall masts rent, her beauty fled. 

 Her crew were number'd with the dead. 

 She was dash'd to atoms, and drift away, — • 

 The sport of the ocean's angry spray ; 

 And her crew left to rest in their briny bed 

 'Til the deep, deep sea shall give up its dead. 



