Wyseby

OF THE FIRST IRVINGS. 31
v
'Tis night again ; but how changed ! The sea
sleeps in beauty, and the beams of the full moon are
rocking in the hollow of its waves. No winds are
abroad — none ! And silence sits on the blue sides of
the might j hills. Ah, how sudden the change t Even
such changes are there on the sea of life. Now tem-
pests sweep over our frail bark ; shores close in, —
dark, frowning shores ; rocks threaten.. Despair not !
Anon the might of the tempest is past; the shores
retire ; the rocks disappear ; and the calm sea
stretches before us, blazing with the glories of the
evening sun. From the vessel noiselessly a boat de-
scends ; carefully a couch and the wounded warrior
is lowered-. ; .the maiden descends next ; then four
grim veterans. " Farewell ! Farewell !" is softly
exchanged between those who tarry, and those who
go. Then the light boat, obedient to the vigorous but
noiseless strokes of the oars, leaps towards the land.
As if by magic, the broad wings of the vessel expand.
She swings round. The waves ripple before her
bow. She is away again on her trackless path.
Well could I wish thee success, gallant battler of
the storm, did I know thy mission to be holy. Ah,
how the sympathies freeze round the heart, when we
doubt the holiness of the purposes of the strong !
For the present, traveller of the deep, farewell !
Noiselessly the party lands from the boat. The
wounded one sleeps. Now the' soldiers bear the rude
litter on which his couch rests. The maiden follows.
Flow respectful the manner of these men now \
Mighty is the power of beauty to awe the fierce !
But. ah ! mightier far the power of devotedness.
Slowly onward they move. Already the narrow plain
is traversed. They ascend the mountain pass. Now