THREE STAVES.

I.

OVER the waves, the dark blue waves,

That break and dash and foam,

O for a brave and gallant ship

On the ocean wide to roam!

O for a stanch and goodly craft

To weather the storm and gale!

Then whistle all for a freshening breeze

To spread the drooping sail.

For I have a love far, far away;

My love is now waiting for me;

Then steadily sail, my noble ship,

And carry me over the sea.

II.

But O for a star mid angry clouds,

And O for some helping hand!

'T is a cruel night, a raging deep,

No sign of the friendly land.

My creaking bark is tossed about

Like a plaything by the sea;

Sad is my heart, for well I know

She watches and weeps for me.

O God! that th' weary voyage was o'er,

And my good ship safely home;

Then would I rest, and ne'er again

On the treacherous ocean roam.

III.

Some drifting boards, a broken spar,

While the white caps, like gravestones,

Were dotted here and there above

Drowned sailors' whitening bones.

An aged woman oft wistfully

Looks out to sea at the morn,

And hopes and watches anxiously

For her sailor love's return.

Two broken hearts by that winter's wreck, -

His bitter anguish, her lasting woe;

Ruined forever two happy lives; -

Alas! alas! 't is often so.

c.