"O'ER the glad waters of the dark blue sea, "Our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free, "Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam, "Survey our empire and behold our home! "These are our realms, no limits to their sway— "From toil to rest, and joy in every change. "Oh, who can tell? not thou, luxurious slave! 10 "Not thou, vain lord of wantonness and ease! "Whom slumber soothes not-pleasure cannot please "Oh, who can tell, save he whose heart hath tried, 15 "That seeks what cravens shun with more than zeal, "And where the feebler faint-can only feel→ 20 "Feel-to the rising bosom's inmost core, "Its hope awaken and its spirit soar? "No dread of death-if with us die our foes "Save that it seems even duller than repose: "Come when it will-we snatch the life of life 25 "When lost-what recks it-by disease or strife? "Let him who crawls enamour'd of decay, "Cling to his couch, and sicken years away; "Heave his thick breath; and shake his palsied head; "Ours-the fresh turf, and not the feverish bed. "While gasp by gasp he falters forth his soul, 30 "Ours with one pang-one bound-escapes control. "His corse may boast its urn and narrow cave, 35. "For us, even banquets fond regret supply "In the red cup that crowns our memory; "And the brief epitaph in danger's day, "When those who win at length divide the prey, 40 "And cry, Remembrance saddening o'er each brow, "How had the brave who fell exulted now!" II. Such were the notes that from the Pirate's isle, 4.5 In scatter'd groups upon the golden sand, They game-carouse -converse- -or whet the brand; Select the arms-to each his blade assign, And careless eye the blood that dims its shine: 50 Repair the boat, replace the helm or oar, Or spread beneath the sun the dripping net; 55 With all the thirsting eye of Enterprise ; Tell o'er the tales of many a night of toil, And marvel where they next shall seize a spoil: No matter where-their chief's allotment this; And for his fare-the rudest of his crew 60 65 Would that, in turn, have pass'd untasted too; 70 Earth's coarsest bread, the garden's homeliest roots, And scarce the summer luxury of fruits, With all a hermit's board would scarce deny. But while he shuns the grosser joys of sense, 75 His mind seems nourish'd by that abstinence. "Steer to that shore!"-they sail. "Do this!"-'tis done: "Now form and follow me !"—the spoil is won. Thus prompt his accents and his actions still, And all obey and few inquire his will; 80 To such, brief answer and contemptuous eye III. "A sail!-a sail !"-a promised prize to Hope! Her nation-flag-how speaks the telescope? No prize, alas!--but yet a welcome sail : The blood-red signal glitters in the gale. 85 Yes-she is ours-a home returning bark- Receives that prow which proudly spurns the How gloriously her gallant course she goes! spray. 90 And seems to dare the elements to strife. Who would not brave the battle-fire-the wreck— 95 To move the monarch of her peopled deck? IV. Hoarse o'er her side the rustling cable rings; The sails are furl'd; and anchoring round she swings: And gathering loiterers on the land discern Her boat descending from the latticed stern. 'Tis mann'd-the oars keep concert to the strand, 100 |