170 THE VALE 01< LANHERNE. 



They almost reach hira — hark I what thrilling cry ! 

 ^ A moment more the waves o'er the lost lad swell high. 



As some poor liird which snares of death decoy, 

 While flutters near its sad distracted mate, 

 So perish'd in the flood that daring boy, 

 While on the cliff his hapless brothers sale, 

 Wringing their little hands disconsolate. 

 Night found them there like sculptured forms unmoved ; 

 As though the sea would grow compassionate. 

 And render back the form of him they loved, 

 They watch'd till morning light the wretched hope disproved. 



Grand type of Death, inexorable Sea ! 

 A pallid corse upheaved upon the shore, 

 One of a thousand, there perchance may be, 

 Thy myriad victims sink to rise no more. 

 Oh thou dread glorious Deep ; thy wavy roar 

 Like the maned lion's rage, thy slumbers mock 

 The tiger's sleep when hunger's pangs are o'er; 

 A den of death is each majestic rock, 

 And seem yon sails like sheep that seek the folded flock. 



Inhospitable Sea ! with gentleness 

 Guests from unnumber'd lands inviting to 

 Tliy everlasting emerald palaces ; 

 Beneath high domes of crimson, gold, and blue, 

 O'er floors of green and silver, many a crew 

 Move joyous to the harmonious gales, while deep 

 His foaming cup, all diamonds to the view, 

 With lusty pledges doth old Ocean steep, 

 Though in his heart he dooms that wife and maid shall weep. 



But yesterday the billowy giant rose 

 With rage ungoverned from his azure halls ; 

 Huge watery masses to the clouds he throws. 

 O'er many a league the briny ruin falls; 

 His mountain waves against the rocky walls 

 Of the firm land he flings with hideous roar, 

 That ev'n his cliild Leviathan appals : 

 In vain on their strong wings the vessels soar, 

 Dash'd with one reckless stroke in atoms on the shore. 



How pealed the inlands with the waveb' wild clang; 

 Within Lanherne's grey wall the Sisters paled, 



