The two following little pieces, though not new, may be welcome to some who have not seen them before.
Launch thy bark, mariner,
Christian, God speed thee,
Let loose the rudder bands,
Good angels lead thee.
Set the sails warily,
Tempests will come,
Steer thy course steadily,
Christian, steer home.
Look to the weather-bow,
Breakers are round thee;
Let fall the plummet now,
Shallows may ground thee.
Reef in the foresail there,
Hold the helm fast,
So let the vessel wear;
There swept the blast!
What of the night, watchman,
What of the night?
Cloudy, all quiet -
No land yet—all's right.
Be wakeful, be vigilant,
Danger may be
At an hour when all seemeth
Securest to thee.
How gains the leak so fast?
Clear out the hold;
Hoist out the merchandise,
Heave out the gold.
There, let the ingots go:
Now the ship rights;
Hurray! The harbor's near,
Lo! The red lights.
Slacken not sail yet,
At inlet or island;
Straight for the beacon steer,
Straight for the high land.
Crowd all thy canvass on,
Cut through the foam;
Christian, cast anchor now,
Heaven is thy home.
Mrs. Southey.