| Day fades away, and low'ring clouds now fly |
| In troubled haste, athwart the frowning sky; |
| That angry sky, whose fearful gleams show Death |
| Waiting his prey, in yawning graves beneath. |
| 5 The foaming billows rise from the vast deep, |
| Lashing the reeling vessel, till they sweep |
| The drowning victims from its shatter'd deck, |
| And leave the late proud ship -- a sinking wreck. |
| See the poor mariner, with frantic grasp, |
| 10 Struggling for life, some chain or cordage clasp, |
| While booming surges strike his shrinking form, |
| And shrieks of torture mingle with the storm. |
| Hark to that cry of anguish and despair, |
| Borne for a moment on the murky air, |
| 15 Now hush'd for ever in the dread abyss, |
| The world of waves, o'er which the wild winds hiss. |
| Were there not womens' tones in that death wail, |
| That rose above the tempest's furious gale? |
| And saw ye not the madden'd mother press |
| 20 Close to her breast, with agonised caress, |
| Her slumb'ring infant, doom'd to wake no
more, |
| Hush'd to death's sleep by ocean's
sullen roar? |
| Poor, hapless infant, child of sin and shame, |
| Whose birth destroy'd for e'er a
mother's fame! |
| 25 Yet whom she loved as mothers only love: -- |
| For whom she quell'd her pride, and vainly strove |
| To earn a scanty pittance; till bereft |
| Of food and hope, she stain'd her hand with theft. |
| Exiled from home, and all she once held dear, |
| 30 Yet she despair'd not, for her child was near; |
| And as she clasp'd it to her anxious breast, |
| Pray'd that its fate might be than hers more blest. |
| See, see! that angry wave has swept them o'er |
| The vessel's side, and closer than before |
| 35 She clasps her child, and holds it high to save; |
| Vain effort -- both have found a wat'ry grave! |
| And there are forms of beauty floating round; |
| Ah! wo is me that crime or sin had found |
| Temples so fair -- But let us not reveal |
| 40 Sins o'er which mighty Death has set his seal; |
| Let words of pity only pass the lip, |
| When talking of the hapless Convict-Ship. |
