Classic Poem

" THE fog is thick'ning, mother,
And hanging o'er the bay;
I fear my dearest father
Will miss his homeward way.
He kiss'd me much this morning
When stepping from our door;
Then in his boat he left me,
And push'd it from the shore.

" Look how it spreads and darkens
On creek and cliff the same;
I'll hasten o'er the shingles,
And call my father's name.
Perchance his daughter's message
At once he'll understand,
And my dear loving father
Will safely steer to land. "

And then the little maiden,
With soft and silken hair,
And eyes brimful of beauty,
And features round and fair,
Ran down the sandy hollow,
And reach'd the sighing sea,
And, stooping to the billow,
Cried, " Father, steer for me. "

Bewilder'd in the darkness,
He knew not where to glide;
When her sweet words of welcome
Came floating o'er the tide.
'T was like an Eden whisper
From shores where seraphs be,
That murmur on the waters,
" Steer, father, straight for me. "

He shouted in his gladness
To hear his daughter's cry,
And soon upon the pebbles
His boat was safe and dry;
And he had clasp'd the maiden
Within his fond embrace,
And lovingly imprinted
Sweet kisses on her face.

O with what joy at evening
They told the story o'er,
When safely by the ingle
They sat in peace once more!
And how he loved his daughter,
And felt his bosom swell
With gratitude unutter'd,
Is not for bard to tell.

Soon after this she sicken'd,
And then she gently died;
Upon her lips " Our Father, "
Like rose-bud in its pride:
But from her grave it echo'd
Beneath the old yew tree,
" I'm up in heaven, dear father,
And so steer straight for me! "

'T is said that he was careless
Of precious Gospel lore,
But his dear daughter's message
Came from the higher shore,
Where angels walk in whiteness
Beside the glassy sea:
" I'm up in heaven, dear father,
And so steer straight for me! "

These words were with him ever,
At morning, noon, and night:
" Steer straight for me, dear father,
On Canaan's holy height; "
Till, yielding to the Spirit,
He pray'd, and was forgiven;
And now he's with his daughter
Upon the plains of heaven.