Page:Felicia Hemans in The Winter's Wreath 1829.pdf/2

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The Meeting of the Ships.


BY MRS. HEMANS.


"We take each other by the hand, and we exchange a few words and looks of kindness, and we rejoice together for a few short moments;—and then days, months, years intervene—and we see and know nothing of each other.—Washington Irving.


Two barks met on the deep mid-sea,
When calms had still'd the tide;
A few bright days of Summer glee
There found them side by side.

And voices of the fair and brave
Rose mingling thence in mirth;
And sweetly floated o'er the wave
The melodies of earth.

Moonlight on that lone Indian main
Cloudless and lovely slept;—
While dancing step, and festive strain
Each deck in triumph swept.