1875] A Ballad for Bofin. 259 



Row ! row ! ye fearless oarsmen, 



Bend stoutly to your oar ; 

 This is our day of vengeance ; 



Hark ! to the cheers on shore ! 



And though our hearts are swelling 



At the thought of yesterday, 

 'Twill nerve us to remember 



That the shark is doomed our prey. 



We 're none too soon ; already 



Yon tall fin I can see ; 

 Steady, boys, and silently 



Close with the enemy. 



High in the bow the avenger stands, 

 The spear raised high in his strong hands 



Which none but he can wield ; 

 Beware, thou mighty shark, beware, 



To him thou soon must yield ; 

 For true and deep he has driven his dart 



Down to the very heart. 



Oh, raise not yet the joyful shout ; 

 Though red blood through the water spout, 

 'Tis long before we '11 wear him out ; 

 His strength will last a summer's day, 

 And this, my boys, is no child's play. 



'Tis earnest battle now ; 

 Ye heard our solemn vow ; 



The widows call, 



The orphans all 

 Are waiting on your spear. 



Vengeance at last is given 



For the brave who are gone to heaven ; 

 Now, widows, dry your tear. 



At last, he's dead, that monster strength, 



That might all strength defy. 

 Ah me ! we 've slain the slayer ; 



Must we ourselves, then, die ? 



See, yonder the rising breakers 



Toss high their mane of foam ; 

 Are we, then, lost my comrades, 



Or may we again see home ? 



In Bofin, and along the coast, 



Ye yet may hear their fame, 

 Who slew the tyrant of the sea 



And won the deathless name. 

 S 2 



