Poems (Rice)/The Royal Steamship Canada

4528606Poems — The Royal Steamship CanadaMaria Theresa Rice
THE ROYAL STEAMSHIP CANADA.
MAY all the fates combine,
That rule the winds and the sea,
To guard these treasures of mine;
I yield to its destiny,
To-day, ah, did I possess,
To soothe, a magical charm,
Old Neptune I would caress,
His wrath subdue with a balm.

While on the ocean, fair ship,
Out on the fathomless deep,
Many a tremulous lip
Will pray for angels to keep;
Many a heart will be stirred,
Many an unbidden tear
Prudence has coldly deferred,
While bidding the loved good cheer.

O, with an earnest farewell
To those we trust to thy care,
Safely each billow repel—
Safely and tenderly bear
Our charge. The plummet of love
Is sounding the heart to its core:
May He who reigneth above
Bless and protect and restore.