Classic Poem

I.

O WHITHER are we driven, o'er the waters so free,
With the vapours all around, and the breakers on our lee;
Not a light in the sky, not a light is on the sea!
Ah, me! ah, me!

II.

We are hurried to our doom: Oh, how wild and how strong
Are the billows on whose bosom we are beating along;
And the Tempest he is calling, (hark, how terrible his song!)
For thee! for me!

III.

The thunder is awakened: He is talking to the Night:
And see what cometh flooding down in cataracts of light;
'Tis his paramour, the Lightning; she withereth my sight;
Ah, me! ah, me!

IV.

Oh, how the Storm doth follow us: and hearken to the Wind!
He is round us; he is over us; he 's hurrying behind:
He is tearing me (the maniac, so cruel and so blind,)
From thee, from thee!

V.

Stay, stay, I hear a sound amidst the washing of the tide:
It glideth by our vessel, now, wherever we do glide;
'Tis the whale—It is the shark! ah, see, he turns upon his side:
Let's flee, let's flee!

Ha! the billows they are rising; we are lifted up on high:
We are all amongst the clouds: we are rushing from the sky,
Down, down, into the waters—Ah, have pity! for I die;
O Sea! Great Sea!