Page:Pocahontas and Other Poems (NY).pdf/241

And upward to the darken'd heavens imploring glances cast,
While her rich curls profusely fell, and floated on the blast.

All sudden, from his wildering trance, a manly form did start,
While a loud agonizing cry burst from his labouring heart;
His bloodless lip was deadly cold, strange lustre fill'd his eye,
"How can I bear a brother's name, yet leave thee thus to die!"

He plunged-the crested wave he ruled; he climbed the cloven deck,
And clasp'd her as the thundering surge swept o'er the heaving wreck:
"Sweet sister, 'tis thy brother's voice; his cheek is pressed to thine;
Together childhood's path we trod, thy last dread couch be mine!"

Still look'd the moon with pitying eye, all lone and silent down,
Encircling them with holy light as with a martyr's crown,
Then shrank behind her fleecy veil; hoarse shrieked th' impetuous main;
The deep sea closed—and where were they? Ask of the angel train!

Ah! noble hearts that night were whelm'd beneath the billows high,
And temples white with honour'd years, and woman's love-lit eye,
And clinging to its mother's breast, in visions soft and deep,
Unwaken'd innocence went down amid the pearls to sleep.