6
POEMS.
We all knew a storm was coming, but, dear God! no man could dream
Of the furious hell-horrors of that day:
Through the roar of winds and waters we could hear wild voices scream—
See the rocking masts reel by us through the spray.
In the gale we drove and drifted helplessly,
With our rudder gone, our engine-fires drowned,
And none might hope another hour to see;
For all the air was desperate with the sound
Of the brave ships rent asunder—
Of the shrieking souls sucked under,
Neath the waves, where many a good man s grave was found.
Of the furious hell-horrors of that day:
Through the roar of winds and waters we could hear wild voices scream—
See the rocking masts reel by us through the spray.
In the gale we drove and drifted helplessly,
With our rudder gone, our engine-fires drowned,
And none might hope another hour to see;
For all the air was desperate with the sound
Of the brave ships rent asunder—
Of the shrieking souls sucked under,
Neath the waves, where many a good man s grave was found.
About noon, upon our quarter, from the deeper gloom afar
Came the English man-of-war Calliope:
"We have lost our anchors, comrades, and, though small the chances are,
We must steer for safety and the open sea."
Came the English man-of-war Calliope:
"We have lost our anchors, comrades, and, though small the chances are,
We must steer for safety and the open sea."
