THE DREAM OF THE SHIPWRECKED MARINER. 453 



What have I done that 'tis my doom 

 To wander over Nature's tomb. 

 That I should only live to Tnoum 

 A world that never can return ? 

 But sweet would be the task to weep. 

 Even on this wide, this endless deep. 

 If there were one to share my woe. 



Some gentle one to sigh with me. 

 Some heart whose tears with raine might flow : 



Then 'twould be sweet to worship thee! 

 But — as it is — better to die 

 Than live alone in this immensity." 



The restless waves had ceas'd to moan. 



The storm had ceased to blow. 

 And the loud winds, in milder tone. 



Began to murmur low, 

 And pleasant sounds came o'er the deep. 



And floated on the air. 

 And raised me from the nether depths 



Of sorrow and despair. 

 With lighter heart I looked again 



O'er ocean's boundless scope. 

 Then turned my glance upon the sky 



In gladness and in hope. 

 The dismal clouds had rolled away, 



The sky was clear and blue. 

 And Oh ! to glad my longing eyes. 



One star was peering through. 



lovely star ! O welcome ray ! 

 It was a beauteous sight. 



Alone upon the waters wide. 

 To gaze upon its light. 



1 gazed and gazed until it seemed 



To change upon my view ; 

 While soft sweet sounds came from the sky. 



And from the waters blue. 

 And then I saw two radiant eyes 



Bent lovingly on me ; 

 While to a face the bright star changed — 



O heavens I and is it thee ? 

 I woke — upon the beach I lay. 



And thou, ray beautiful, mine own. 

 Wast bending o'er my pallid cheek. 



Beside the waters lone. 

 And smiling 'mid thy tears to see 



That all had not been vain 

 To call my dreaming spirit back 



To consciousness again- 



CM. 



