Pocahontas and Other Poems (New York)/Midnight Thoughts at Sea
MIDNIGHT THOUGHTS AT SEA.
Borne upon the ocean's foam,
Far from native land and home,
Midnight's curtain dense with wrath,
Brooding o'er our venturous path,
While the mountain wave is rolling,
And the ship's bell faintly tolling:
Saviour! on the boisterous sea,
Bid us rest secure in Thee.
Blast and surge conflicting hoarse,
Sweep us on with headlong force,
And the bark which tempests urge,
Moans and trembles at their scourge;
Yet, if wildest tempests swell,
Be thou near, and all is well.
Saviour! on the stormy sea,
Let us find repose in Thee.
Hearts there are with love that burn,
When to us afar they turn;
Eyes that show the rushing tear
If our utter'd names they hear:
Saviour! o'er the faithless main,
Bring us to those homes again,
As the trembler, touch'd by Thee,
Safely trod the treacherous sea.
Wrecks are darkly spread below,
Where with lonely keel we go;
Gentle brows and bosoms brave
Those abysses richly pave;
If beneath the briny deep
We, with them, should coldly sleep,
Saviour! o'er the whelming sea,
Take our ransom'd souls to Thee.