ORATIONS AND IMPASSIONED PIECES. 239 



Alas !* alas ! who could foresee, 

 la this gay and joyous hour, 

 That the angel of death was hurrying past 

 On the fearful wings of the tempest's blast, 



With an all-destroying power ! 

 Yet thus it was : for the doom-winds rose, 



And the boiling surges dash'd ; 

 The thunder walk'd in majesty 

 Along the dark and scowling sky, 



And the li.vid lightnings flash'd ! 

 The jocund laugh, and sprightly song, 

 Were quickly changed to wailing, 

 For wilder grew the deaf ning roar 



Of " waters loud prevailing." 

 A lesser boat was lowered now 

 Across the troubled wave, 

 And, "Haste,t my prince!" the captain cries, 

 " Heed not the raging of the skies, 



Oh ! haste thy life to save !" 

 The royal youth obeyed the call, 

 And fain the boat would gain, 

 But his lov'd sister's piercing shriek 



Compell'd him to remain. 

 " My+ brother ! oh, my brother, stay : 



Leave me not here to die ! " 

 Ah ! could he turn a senseless ear 



To the despairing cry? 

 No ! though the angry billows rush'd 



With a stern resistless power, 

 He could not one so dear forsake, 



In that o'erwhelming hour. 

 Tillj | now the boat had bravely sped 



Through the tempest's mingled roar, 

 And the joyous mariners descried 

 The white spray of the foaming tide, 

 Lashing the friendly shore ; 



* Increased solemnity, with much pathos. 



t This address to the prince requires an eager and rapid utterance. 



I Earnest entreaty, with a plaintive tone and rapid utterance. 



Mournful and solemn tone. 



|| Here is a transition to the narrative. 



