Of a passion that lasts but a day; Still in the house in his coffin the Prince of courtesy lay. Two dead men have I known In courtesy like to thee: Two dead men have I loved With a love that ever will be: Three dead men have I loved, and thou art last of the three. Alfred Tennyson. 66 Swanage Bay. IN SWANAGE BAY. WAS five and forty year ago, The fishermen were on the beach, The reapers in the corn; My tale is true, young gentlemen, As sure as you were born. "My tale 's all true, young gentlemen," The fond old boatman cried Unto the sullen, angry lads, Who vain obedience tried; "Mind what your father says And don't go out this tide. to you, "Just such a shiny sea as this, Smooth as a pond, you'd say, And white gulls flying, and the crafts And Isle of Wight, all glittering bright, "The Battery point, the Race beyond, Just as to-day you see; This was, I think, the very stone A small child, just turned three. "And Dick was mighty fond of her: "We sat and watched a little boat, "Said Dick to me, 'Let's have a pull, Father will never know, He's busy in his wheat up there, And cannot see us go: These landsmen are such cowards, if "I've been to France and back three times, Who knows best, Dad or me, Whether a craft 's seaworthy or not? Dolly, wilt go to sea?' - And Dolly laughed, and hugged him tight, "I don't mean, sirs, to blame What he did, sure I'd do: And many a sail in Tricksy Jane' "But now the sky had not a cloud, And Dolly crowed, 'Me go to sea!' "Well, sirs, we went; a pair of oars, My jacket for a sail; Just round Old Harry and his Wife,' - And we came back. — D'ye want to hear "Ay, ay, we came back, past that point, But then a breeze upsprung; Dick shouted, "Hoy! down sail!' and pulled With all his might among The white sea-horses that upreared So terrible and strong. "I pulled too; I was blind with fear, But I could hear Dick's breath His jacket, and not hold him so: "We almost reached the sheltered bay, Upon the little jetty here, His sickle in his hand, The houses white, the yellow fields, "And Dick, though pale as any ghost, Had only said to me, 'We're all right now, old lad!' when up A wave rolled, -drenched us three, One lurch, and then I felt the chill "I don't remember much but that You see, I'm safe and sound; I have been wrecked four times since then, I think folks sleep beneath the deep "But Dick and Dolly?" "Well, poor Dick! I saw him rise and cling Out loud, 'Where's Doll?' I hear him yet, "Where's Dolly?' I no answer made; Down through the deep sea, and it closed: The little thing was gone. 'Where's Doll?' three times, then Dick loosed hold, And left me there alone. "It's five and forty year since then," And drew his rough hand o'er his eyes, "Just five and forty year!" and not "But Dolly?" ask the children all. As they about him stand; "Poor Doll! she floated back next tide With seaweed in her hand. She's buried o'er that hill you see, In a churchyard on land. “But where Dick lies, God knows! He'll find Our Dick at judgment day.” The boatman fell to mending nets, The boys ran off to play; And the sun shone and the waves danced In quiet Swanage Bay. Dinah Maria Mulock Craik. |