FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 



207 



Alas ! that such a peaceful scene should hide so dread a foe I 



Alas! that uo precaution can guard against the blow I 



Alas I that sailors brave must drown, and wives and children weep, 



Though winds are soft, and seas are smooth, and crews their vigils keep! 



No fear of ill their dreams disturb — no dread of danger near — 

 By gentle billows rocked, their thoughts are with their loved ones dear. 

 Out from the mist a sail gleams forth — a mammoth hull draws nigh — 

 A shock I a crash I the crew go down with one despairing cry 1 



At home their dear ones watch and wait, and wait and watch in vain ; 

 The sailor-husbands, dearly loved, will never come again. 

 No sturdier crew than sailed the " Guy " e'er manned a fishing boat, 

 None braver than her skipper bold e'er trod the deck afloat. 



An aged mother mourns the son she soon will meet above ; 

 A sister mourns a brother dear whose every look was love; 

 A widow mourns a husband true, the wreck of prospects fair, 

 And children three are left behind without a father's care. 



The five days' babe he left behind when bidding home good-bye, 

 Will never know how great a loss that deadly hour brought nigh. 

 But God is good, and he has power the balm of peace to pour 

 On bleeding hearts, and comfort bring from out his bounteous store. 



