Classic Poem

JOSEPH V. LINGLE .

O N the sea of life sails many a bark
Freighted with sorrow and pain,
And they still sail on, thro' storm and dark,
For little of good or gain.

But a beautiful ship, with pennants bright,
From the harbor sailed away,
When the sea reflected the golden light
Of a cloudless summer day.

It was manned with Aspirations high,
And the radiant Hope of youth,
With Genius, Honor and Purity,
And the captain's name was Truth.

It sailed away with a precious freight,
And promise of great renown.
Alas! for the stern decrees of fate,
The beautiful ship went down!

Went down, O God, in a summer sea,
With never a wave to fret —
When a favoring wind was fair and free,
And the snowy sails all set.

Went down in the sight of the loving eyes
And the hearts that yearned to save;
From the rosy light of morning skies
To the darkness of the grave.

And the sorrow-freighted barks sail on,
Through storm and blinding spray;
God only knows why that fairest one
Went down in the sea that day.

He only knoweth to count the cost
Of the priceless wealth it bore.
And what the living and loving lost,
That time can never restore.