And left me sinking in the mighty void. Weaker I grew, and grew the more dismay’d, Of aid all hopeless, yet in search of aid; Struggling awhile upon the wave to keep, Then, languid, sinking in the yawning deep. So tost, so lost, so sinking in despair, I pray’d in heart an indirected prayer, And then once more I gave my eyes to view The ship now lost, and bade the light adieu! 230 From my chill’d frame th’ enfeebled spirit fled, } Rose the tall billows round my deep’ning bed, } Cold seized my heart, thought ceased, and I was dead. } “Brother, I have not--man has not, the power To paint the horrors of that life-long hour-- Hour!--but of time I knew not--when I found Hope, youth, life, love, and all they promised, drown’d; When all so indistinct, so undefined, So dark and dreadful, overcame the mind; When such confusion on the spirit dwelt, 240 That, feeling much, it knew not what it felt. “Can I, my brother--ought I to forget That night of terror? No! it threatens yet. Shall I days, months--nay, years indeed neglect, Who then could feel what moments must effect, Were aught effected? who, in that wild storm, Found there was nothing I could well perform; For what to us are moments, what are hours, If lost our judgment, and confused our powers? “Oft in the times when passion strives to reign, 250 When duty feebly holds the slacken’d chain, When reason slumbers, then remembrance draws } This view of death, and folly makes a pause-- } The view o’ercomes the vice, the fear the frenzy awes. } “I know there wants not this to make it true, ‘What danger bids be done, in safety do’; Yet such escapes may make our purpose sure; Who slights such warning may be too secure.” “But the escape!”--“Whate’er they judged might save Their sinking friend they cast upon the wave; 260 Something of these my heaven-directed arm Unconscious seized, and held as by a charm; The crew astern beheld me as I swam, And I am saved--O! let me say I am.” * * * * *