Dry shelly sand that made the summer-seat; The wondering mews flew fluttering o'er the head, And waves ran softly up their shining bed. Some form'd a party from the rest to stray, Pleased to collect the trifles in their way; These to behold, they call their friends around-- 230 No friends can hear, or hear another sound; Alarm'd, they hasten, yet perceive not why, But catch the fear that quickens as they fly. For lo! a lady sage, who paced the sand With her fair children, one in either hand, Intent on home, had turn'd, and saw the boat Slipp'd from her moorings, and now far afloat; She gazed, she trembled, and though faint her call, It seem'd, like thunder, to confound them all. Their sailor-guides, the boatman and his mate, 240 Had drank, and slept regardless of their state; "Awake!" they cried aloud; "Alarm the shore! "Shout all, or never shall we reach it more!" Alas! no shout the distant land can reach, Nor eye behold them from the foggy beach. Again they join in one loud, powerful cry, } Then cease, and eager listen for reply; } None came--the rising wind blew sadly by. } They shout once more, and then they turn aside, To see how quickly flow'd the coming tide; 250 Between each cry they find the waters steal On their strange prison, and new horrors feel; Foot after foot on the contracted ground The billows fall, and dreadful is the sound; Less and yet less the sinking isle became, And there was wailing, weeping, wrath, and blame. Had one been there, with spirit strong and high, Who could observe, as he prepared to die: He might have seen of hearts the varying kind, And traced the movement of each different mind; 260 He might have seen, that not the gentle maid Was more than stern and haughty man afraid; Such calmly grieving, will their fears suppress, And silent prayers to Mercy's throne address; While fiercer minds, impatient, angry, loud, Force their vain grief on the reluctant crowd. The party's patron, sorely sighing, cried, "Why would you urge me? I at first denied." Fiercely they answer'd, "Why will you complain, "Who saw no danger, or was warn'd in vain?" 270 A few essay'd the troubled soul to calm; But dread prevail'd, and anguish and alarm. Now rose the water through the lessening sand, And they seem'd sinking while they yet could stand; The sun went down, they look'd from side to side, Nor aught except the gathering sea descried; Dark and more dark, more wet, more cold it grew, And the most lively bade to hope adieu; Children, by love then lifted from the seas, Felt not the waters at the parents' knees, 280 But wept aloud; the wind increased the sound, And the cold billows as they broke around.