Classic Poem

IN PRIVATE THEATRICALS .

The storm had ceas'd, the vessel, striving,
Lay on the frightful breakers, torn,
When, the drown'd crew scarcely surviving,
Jack pin'd his destiny forlorn:
Where are those friends whom late I cherish'd,
That manly, noble, honest band,
Ah do I live, my messmates perish'd,
To wail them in a foreign land.

II

Where is my love, my charming Kitty,
Alas unmindful of my grief,
To others woes she gives her pity,
Nor thinks her Jack most wants relief.
But see what numbers curious thronging,
To view our mis'ry, crowd the strand!
Hard fate's perhaps my life prolonging,
For murder in a foreign land.

III

But do my flatt'ring eyes deceive me,
Or, if they do, what out-stretch'd arms
Are these thus tender'd to relieve me?
'Tis she, 'tis she, in all her charms.
My faith and truth, to so much beauty,
Fate to reward with partial hand,
This pattern sends of love and duty,
To save me in a foreign land.