The Young Mariner
YOUNG C HEERWELI , inspired with true love at eighteen,
Fancied life more enchanting than e'er it had been;
For visions of beauty, and virtue, and joy,
Came over the brain of the proud sailor boy:
And now, with a spirit right honest and brave,
He roamed the wide realm of the turbulent wave,
Resolved every pathway of right to pursue,
For the maiden to whom he had sworn to be true
On the mighty expanse of the slumberless main,
With Love to exalt him, and Hope to sustain,
He clung to his duties with resolute will,
Resolved every purpose of life to fulfil;
While the image of her he had left far behind,
Like an angel of memory, haunted his mind, —
Came oft in his waking hours, coloured his sleep,
And brightened his way o'er the dangerous deep.
When the waters grew fierce, and the tempest grew loud,
His heart was undaunted, his spirit unbowed;
For fancy recalled the calm grace of her form,
And her eyes seemed to smile thro' the gloom of the storm;
And in the night-watches, her voice seemed to come
To his ear with sweet tidings of country and home; —
Gave him courage to strive with the perilous hour,
And trust with firm faith to a merciful Power.
When his comrades would fain have him join their carouse,
He turned from temptation, and clung to his vows,
For he saw the sweet maid, with a tear in her eye,
Like an angel to counsel and guard him, stand by.
" Beware of the danger! " her lips seemed to say;
" Be wise, for the sake of a happier day! "
So he strengthened his heart, kept his soul free from stain,
And turned to his duties and studies again.
Thus earnest and hopeful, and thoughtful and true,
In brave manly beauty and goodness he grew:
She charmed him with loveliness, blest him with truth,
And covered with sunshine the days of his youth,
Till he wooed her, in words that are never forgot,
To share in his future, and sweeten his lot;
And she, with a heart of affection and trust,
Gave a bashful consent, and the guerdon was just.
Should his good ship return from the Indian shore,
And bring him to her blessed presence once more,
Then doubt, and delay, and long absence will cease,
Two souls will commingle in virtue and peace; —
Two hearts, long divided by distance, will blend
In the husband and wife, the companion and friend.
May the blithe bridal bells ring a prelude to joy,
Many days, many pleasures, unmixed with alloy.
Fancied life more enchanting than e'er it had been;
For visions of beauty, and virtue, and joy,
Came over the brain of the proud sailor boy:
And now, with a spirit right honest and brave,
He roamed the wide realm of the turbulent wave,
Resolved every pathway of right to pursue,
For the maiden to whom he had sworn to be true
On the mighty expanse of the slumberless main,
With Love to exalt him, and Hope to sustain,
He clung to his duties with resolute will,
Resolved every purpose of life to fulfil;
While the image of her he had left far behind,
Like an angel of memory, haunted his mind, —
Came oft in his waking hours, coloured his sleep,
And brightened his way o'er the dangerous deep.
When the waters grew fierce, and the tempest grew loud,
His heart was undaunted, his spirit unbowed;
For fancy recalled the calm grace of her form,
And her eyes seemed to smile thro' the gloom of the storm;
And in the night-watches, her voice seemed to come
To his ear with sweet tidings of country and home; —
Gave him courage to strive with the perilous hour,
And trust with firm faith to a merciful Power.
When his comrades would fain have him join their carouse,
He turned from temptation, and clung to his vows,
For he saw the sweet maid, with a tear in her eye,
Like an angel to counsel and guard him, stand by.
" Beware of the danger! " her lips seemed to say;
" Be wise, for the sake of a happier day! "
So he strengthened his heart, kept his soul free from stain,
And turned to his duties and studies again.
Thus earnest and hopeful, and thoughtful and true,
In brave manly beauty and goodness he grew:
She charmed him with loveliness, blest him with truth,
And covered with sunshine the days of his youth,
Till he wooed her, in words that are never forgot,
To share in his future, and sweeten his lot;
And she, with a heart of affection and trust,
Gave a bashful consent, and the guerdon was just.
Should his good ship return from the Indian shore,
And bring him to her blessed presence once more,
Then doubt, and delay, and long absence will cease,
Two souls will commingle in virtue and peace; —
Two hearts, long divided by distance, will blend
In the husband and wife, the companion and friend.
May the blithe bridal bells ring a prelude to joy,
Many days, many pleasures, unmixed with alloy.
Translation:
Language:
Reviews
No reviews yet.