第85章 LETTER XIII(2)
III.
Years ago had she departed--
Castled poop and gilded stern;
Weeping women,broken-hearted,Long had waited her return.
When the midnight sun wheeled downwards,But to kiss the ocean's verge--When the noonday sun,a moment Peeped above the Wintry surge,IV.
Childless mothers,orphaned daughters,From the seaward-facing crag,Vainly searched the vacant waters For that unreturning flag!
But,suspense and tears are ended,Lo!it floats upon the breeze!
Ne'er from eager hearts ascended Thankful prayers as warm as these.
V.
See the good ship proudly rounding That last point that blocks the view;"Strange!no answering cheer resounding From the long home-parted crew!"Past the harbour's stony gateway,Onwards borne by sucking tides,Tho'the light wind faileth--straightway Into port she safely glides.
VI.
Swift,as by good angels carried,Right and left the news has spread.
Wives long widowed-yet scarce married--
Brides that never hoped to wed,From a hundred pathways meeting Crowd along the narrow quay,Maddened by the hope of meeting Those long counted cast away.
VII.
Soon a crowd of small boats flutter O'er the intervening space,Bearing hearts too full to utter Thoughts that flush the eager face!
See young Eric foremost gaining--
(For a father's love athirst!)
Every nerve and muscle straining,But to touch the dear hand FIRST.
VIII.
In the ship's green shadow rocking Lies his little boat at last,Wherefore is the warm heart knocking At his side,so loud and fast?
"What strange aspect is she wearing,Vessel once so taut and trim?
Shout!--MY heart has lost its daring;
Comrades,search!--MY eyes are dim."
IX.
Sad the search,and fearful finding!
On the deck lay parched and dry Men--who in some burning,blinding Clime--had laid them down to die!
Hands--prayer--clenched--that would not sever,Eyes that stared against the sun,Sights that haunt the soul for ever,Poisoning life--till life is done!
X.
Strength from fear doth Eric gather,Wide the cabin door he threw--Lo!the face of his dead father,Stern and still,confronts his view!
Stately as in life he bore him,Seated--motionless and grand,On the blotted page before him Lingers still the livid hand!
XI.
What sad entry was he making,When the death-stroke fell at last?
"Is it then God's will,in taking All,that I am left the last?
I have closed the cabin doorway,That I may not see them die:--Would our bones might rest in Norway,--
'Neath our own cool Northern sky!"
XII.
Then the ghastly log-book told them How-in some accursed clime,Where the breathless land-swell rolled them,For an endless age of time--Sudden broke the plague among them,'Neath that sullen Tropic sun;As if fiery scorpions stung them--
Died they raving,one by one!
XIII.
--Told the vain and painful striving,By shot-weighted shrouds to hide (Last fond care),from those surviving,What good comrade last had died;Yet the ghastly things kept showing,Waist deep in the unquiet grave--To each other gravely bowing On the slow swing of the wave!
XIV.
Eric's boat is near the landing--
From that dark ship bring they aught?
In the stern sheets ONE is standing,Though their eyes perceive him not;But a curdling horror creepeth Thro'their veins,with icy darts,And each hurried oar-stroke keepeth Time with their o'er-labouring hearts!
XV.
Heavy seems their boat returning,Weighted with a world of care!
Oh,ye blind ones--none discerning WHAT the spectral freight ye bear.
Glad they hear the sea-beach grating Harsh beneath the small boat's stem--Forth they leap,for no man waiting--
But the BLACK DEATH LANDS WITH THEM.
XVI.
Viewless--soundless--stalks the spectre Thro'the city chill and pale,Which like bride,this morn,had decked her For the advent of that sail.