80 THE FORESTERS. 



While night's grim darkness deep around prevailed ; 



Safe on the fearful brink, we search around, 



And, glimmering near, a light and lodgings found ; 



There full of all the wonders of the day, 



In vain on bed our weary heads we lay ; 



Still loud without a mighty tempest heaves ; 



Still the calm air our terror undeceives. 



And when some short and broken slumbers came, 



Still round us roaring swept th' outrageous stream ; 



Whelmed in the deep we sunk, engulfed, forlorn ; 



Or down the dreadful Rapids helpless borne; 



Groaning we start ! and at the loudening war, 



Ask our bewildered senses where we are. 



At length with watching and with toil opprest, 



The thundering tumult rocked us into rest. 



