Embraced me, while I shrunk from her, as if, Had been the son who slew her for her incest. But think not of these things-the mere creations Unused to toil, yet over-wrought by toil Sar. I am better. Now that I see thee once more what was seen Seems nothing. SATAN AT HEAVEN'S GATE. But bringing up the rear of this bright host Eternal wrath on his immortal face, And where he gazed a gloom pervaded space. THE SHIPWRECK. 'Twas twilight, for the sunless day went down Over the waste of waters; like a veil, Which, if withdrawn, would but disclose the frown And hopeless eyes, which o'er the deep alone A sort of thing at which one would have laugh'd, Their preservation would have been a miracle. At half-past eight o'clock, booms, hencoops, spars, The boats put off o'ercrowded with their crews; Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell, Then shriek'd the timid, and stood still the brave, Then some leap'd overboard with dreadful yell, As eager to anticipate their grave; And the sea yawn'd around her like a hell, And down she suck'd with her the whirling wave, Like one who grapples with his enemy, And strives to strangle him before he die. And first one universal shriek there rush'd, Of echoing thunder: and then all was hush'd, Accompanied with a convulsive splash, There were two fathers in this ghastly crew, But he died early; and when he was gone, [done, One glance on him, and said, "Heaven's will be I can do nothing," and he saw him thrown Into the deep without a tear or groan. The other father had a weaklier child, Of a soft cheek, and aspect delicate; But the boy bore up long, and with a mild And patient spirit held aloof his fate; Little he said, and now and then he smiled, As if to win a part from off the weight He saw increasing on his father's heart, With the deep deadly thought, that they must part. And o'er him bent his sire, and never raised His eyes from off his face, but wiped the foam From his pale lips, and ever on him gazed, And when the wish'd for shower at length was come, And the boy's eyes, which the dull film half glazed, Brightened, and for a moment seem'd to roam, He squeezed from out a rag some drops of rain Into his dying child's mouth-but in vain. The boy expired-the father held the clay, And looked upon it long, and when at last Death left no doubt, and the dead burthen lay 'Twas borne by the rude wave wherein 'twas cast. Then he himself sunk down all dumb and shivering, And gave no sign of life, save his limbs quivering. Now overhead, a rainbow, bursting through The scattering clouds, shone-spanning the dark sea, Wax'd broad and waving, like a banner free, With twilight it again came on to blow, But not with violence; the stars shone out, The boat made way: yet now they were so low, They knew not where nor what they were about. Some fancied they saw land, and some said "No!" The frequent fog-banks gave them cause to doubt― Some swore that they heard breakers, others guns, And all mistook about the latter once. As morning broke, the light wind died away, He wish'd that land he never might see more; And the rest rubbed their eyes, and saw a bay, Or thought they saw, and shaped their course for For shore it was, and gradually grew Distinct, and high, and palpable to view. [shore, And then of these some part burst into tears, They found a turtle of the hawk's-bill kind, They thought, that in such perils, more than chance The land appear'd a high and rocky coast, So changeable had been the winds that blew : Meantime, the current, with a rising gale, Still set them onwards to the welcome shore, Like Charon's bark of spectres, dull and pale: Their living freight was now reduced to four, |