"All night the storm had raged, nor ceased nor paused, When, as day broke, the maid, through misty air, Espies far off a wreck, amid the surf, Beating on one of those disastrous isles. Half of a vessel!--half--no more! The rest Had vanished, swallowed up with all that there Had for the common safety striven in vain, Or thither thronged for refuge. With quick glance Daughter and sire through optic glass discern, Clinging about the remnant of this ship, Creatures--how precious in the maiden's sight! For whom, belike, the old man grieves still more Than for their fellow-sufferers engulphed Where every parting agony is hushed, And hope and fear mix not in further strife. 'But courage, father! let us out to sea-- A few may yet be saved.' The daughter's words, Her earnest tone and look, beaming with faith, Dispel the father's doubts; nor do they lack The noble-minded mother's helping hand To launch the boat; and with her blessing cheer'd, And inwardly sustained by silent prayer, Together they put forth, father and child! Each grasps an oar, and, struggling, on they go-- Rivals in effort; and, alike intent Here to elude and there to surmount, they watch The billows lengthening, mutually cross'd And shattered, and regathering their might, As if the wrath and troubles of the sea Were by the Almighty's sufferance prolong'd That woman's fortitude--so tried, so proved-- May brighten more and more! "True to that mark, They stem the current of that perilous gorge, Their arms still strengthening with the strengthening heart, Though danger, as the wreck is neared, becomes More imminent. Nor unseen do they approach; And rapture, with varieties of fear Incessantly conflicting, thrills the frame Of those who, in that dauntless energy, Foretaste deliverance; but the least perturb'd Can scarcely trust his eyes, when he perceives That of the pair--tossed on the waves to bring Hope to the hopeless, to the dying, life-- One is a woman, a poor earthly sister; Or, be the visitant other than she seems! A guardian spirit sent from pitying heaven, In woman's shape! But why prolong the tale, Casting weak words amid a host of thoughts Arm'd to repel them? Every hazard faced, And difficulty mastered, with resolve That no one breathing should be left to perish, This last remainder of the crew were all Placed in the little boat, then o'er the deep Are safely borne, landed upon the beach, And in fulfilment of God's mercy, lodged Within the sheltering lighthouse. Shout, ye waves! Pipe a glad song of triumph, ye fierce winds! Ye screaming sea mews in the concert join! And would that some immortal voice, Fitly attuned to all that gratitude Breathes out from flock or couch through pallid lips Of the survivors, to the clouds might bear-- (Blended with praise of that parental love, Pious and pure, modest and yet so brave,