Page:The West Indies, and Other Poems.djvu/156
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Through ocean's mirror, dark and clear,
Reflected skies and clouds appear
In morning's rich array;
The land is lost, the waters glow,
'Tis heaven above, around, below.
Reflected skies and clouds appear
In morning's rich array;
The land is lost, the waters glow,
'Tis heaven above, around, below.
Majestic o'er the sparkling tide,
See the tall vessel sail,
With swelling wings, in shadowy pride,
A swan before the gale;
Deep-laden merchants rode behind;
—But, fearful of the fickle wind,
Britannia's cheek grew pale,
When, lessening through the flood of light,
Their leader vanish'd from her sight.
See the tall vessel sail,
With swelling wings, in shadowy pride,
A swan before the gale;
Deep-laden merchants rode behind;
—But, fearful of the fickle wind,
Britannia's cheek grew pale,
When, lessening through the flood of light,
Their leader vanish'd from her sight.
Oft had she hail'd its trophied prow,
Victorious from the war,
And banner'd masts, that would not bow,
Though riv'n with many a scar;
Victorious from the war,
And banner'd masts, that would not bow,
Though riv'n with many a scar;