"THERE passed a weary time. Each throat The ancient Ma Was parched, and glazed each eye. A weary time! a weary time! How glazed each weary eye, riner beholdeth a sign in the element afar off. At its nearer approach, it seemeth him to be a ship; and at a dear ransom he from the bonds "At first it seemed a little speck, It moved and moved, and took at last "A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist! "With throats unslaked, with black lips baked, We could nor laugh nor wail; Through utter drought all dumb we stood! freeth his speech I bit my arm, I sucked the blood, And cried, A sail! a sail! of thirst. A flash of joy; And horror fol lows. For can it be a ship that comes onward without wind or tide? "With throats unslaked, with black lips baked Agape they heard me call: Gramercy! they for joy did grin, And all at once their breath drew in, "See! see! (I cried) she tacks no more! Without a breeze, without a tide, She steadies with upright keel! "The western wave was all a-flame, The day was well-nigh done! |