MINUTE GUN AT SEA. LET him who sighs in sadness here, He marks some vessel's dusky form, Swift on the shore a hardy few, And dare the dang'rous wave; Through the wild surf, they cleave their way, Lost in the foam nor know dismay, Then landed safe what joys to tell, By the watch on shore, The minute gun at sea. m THE MERMAID. ONE Friday morning we set sail, While we poor sailors go up to And the land lubbers down The boatswain at the helm stands, Then up spoke a man of our gallant ship, And a well spoken man was he, I have married a wife in fair New York town, And this night she a widow will be. Then up spoke a boy of our gallant ship, And a well spoken boy was he, I've a father and mother in fair Boston town, And this night they will weep for me Then up spoke the captain of our gallant ship, And a valiant man was he, For the want of a long boat we all shall be drown'd, And sink to the bottom of the sea. Now the moun shone bright and the stars gave light And my mother is looking for me, She may look, she may weep, with a watery eye, She may look to the bottom of the sea. Now three times around went our gallant ship, And three times around went she, And three times around went our gallant ship, When she sunk to the bottom of the sea. SLEEP BABY SLEEP. "THEN Swift through the mists of the mournful night, To a fisherman's dwelling I hasten'd my flight, Where a mother was singing her infant to sleep, Whilst the storm unabated swept over the deep." Sleep, baby, sleep! cry not so loud, That flings its shadow o'er the sea, The hour he nam'd, has long been past, And phantom forms before me start. Hush, baby, hush! is yon dim speck, The taper in the window seat, Sleep, baby, sleep! 'tis almost day, LOVE ON. Love, love on, the soul must have a shrine, The rudest breast must find some hallow'd spot. The God who form'd us left no spark divine In him who dwells in earth yet "loveth not." Devotion's links compose a sacred chain, Of holy brightness and unmeasured length, The world with selfish rust, and reckless stain May mar its beauty, but not touch its strength. Love on, |