WAS off the Wash-the sun went down-the sea look'd black and grim, Of Erebus rose suddenly to seize upon the light! It was a time for mariners to bear a wary eye, With such a dark conspiracy between the sea and sky! Down went my helm-close reef'd-the tack held freely in my hand With ballast snug-I put about, and scudded for the land. Loud hiss'd the sea beneath her lee-my little boat flew fast, But faster still the rushing storm came borne upon the blast. The Demon-Ship. Lord! what a roaring hurricane beset the straining sail! As black as night-they turn'd to white, and cast against the cloud It seem'd as though some cloud had turn'd its hugeness to a wave! I felt the rearward keel begin to climb its swelling base! I saw its alpine hoary head impending over mine! Another pulse and down it rush'd-an avalanche of brine! Brief pause had I, on God to cry, or think of wife and home; The waters closed-and when I shriek'd, I shriek'd below the foam! Beyond that rush I have no hint of any after deed For I was tossing on the waste, as senseless as a weed. “Where am I? in the breathing world, or in the world of death?" Oh! never may the moon again disclose me such a sight As met my gaze, when first I look'd, on that accursed night! I've seen a thousand horrid shapes begot of fierce extremes Of fever; and most frightful things have haunted in my dreams— The Demon-Ship. Hyenas-cats-blood-loving bats-and apes with hateful stare,- His cheek was black-his brow was black-his eyes and hair as dark : His hand was black, and where it touch'd, it left a sable mark; His throat was black, his vest the same, and when I look'd beneath, His breast was black—all, all, was black except his grinning teeth. His sooty crew were like in hue, as black as Afric slaves! Oh, horror! e'en the ship was black that plough'd the inky waves! "Alas!" I cried, "for love of truth and blessed mercy's sake, Loud laugh'd that SABLE MARINER, and loudly in return A dozen gloomy shapes at once enjoy'd the merry fit, With shriek and yell, and oaths as well, like Demons of the Pit. They crow'd their fill, and then the Chief made answer for the whole :"Our skins," said he, " are black ye see, because we carry coal; You'll find your mother sure enough, and see your native fields— For this here ship has pick'd you up-the Mary Ann of Shields!" OUNG Ben he was a nice young man, A carpenter by trade; And he fell in love with Sally Brown, But as they fetch'd a walk one day, Faithless Sally Brown. The Boatswain swore with wicked words, That though she did seem in a fit, "Twas nothing but a feint. "Come, girl," said he, " hold up your head, He'll be as good as me; For when your swain is in our boat, A boatswain he will be." So when they'd made their game of her, And taken off her elf, She roused, and found she only was "And is he gone, and is he gone?" A waterman came up to her, "Alas! they've taken my beau, Ben, Says he, "They've only taken him "The Tender-ship," cried Sally Brown, "Oh! would I were a mermaid now, For then I'd follow him; |