116 POETRY. 



And long the breeze sought dalliance with the tide. 

 For both in treaty seemed to speed the bark : 

 Yet heedlessly the Skipper loitered on, 



Close furled, and waited more i 



Still breezes — says narration — tripping came 

 And passed, like favours unesteemed ; but soon 

 The sunny sky a sable garb put on, 



As mourning absent good. 



Forked lightnings darted, and incessant rain 

 Propelled the flood, while, as in fretful sport, 

 Uprose the storm, which naught save tell-tale spar 

 Left on the crested wave I 



Full many a sigh then mingled with the wind ; 

 Full many a tear joined with the briny surf; 

 Full many a hope too sank, as sank its prop 

 Upon the rocky shore I 



Thus sang old Harold to his soft-tuned harp, 

 In feeling adding force ; but ere was seen 

 Its strings* vibration mellowed down to rest 

 He sent the moral forth : 



Suchf lUt*ning youth surroundings such is life — 

 Your buoyant bark f yourselves the skippers are f 

 Watch well the sunny sky — the fav ring breeze^ 

 And start while both prevail ! 



He closed ; his swollen veins each finger marked ; 

 And there were those who thought, that, as adown 

 His furrowed cheek a mighty tear would fall, 



It mooted something known. 



J. R. B. 



