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With lip and finger signs that said, I must not strive as yet to break The silence, till my strength should be Enough to leave my accents free. And then her hand on mine she laid, And smooth'd the pillow for my head, And stole along on tiptoe tread,

And gently oped the door, and spake In whispers - ne'er was voice so sweet! Even music follow'd her light feet.

But those she call'd were not awake, And she went forth; but, ere she pass'd, Another look on me she cast,

Another sign she made, to say, That I had nought to fear, that all Were near at my command or call, And she would not delay

Her due return: - while she was gone, Methought I felt too much alone."

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The purpling ocean owns the coming sun, But ere he break a deed is to be done.

II

The gallant chief within his cabin slept, Secure in those by whom the watch was

kept.

His dreams were of Old England's welcome

shore,

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Of toils rewarded, and of dangers o'er;
His name was added to the glorious roll
Of those who search the storm-surrounded

Pole.

The worst was over, and the rest seem'd

sure,

And why should not his slumber be secure?

Alas! his deck was trod by unwilling feet, And wilder hands would hold the vessel's sheet;

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·

And who dare answer No!' to Mutiny, In the first dawning of the drunken hour, The Saturnalia of unhoped-for power? The boat is lower'd with all the haste of hate,

With its slight plank between thee and thy fate;

Her only cargo such a scant supply
As promises the death their hands deny;
And just enough of water and of bread
To keep, some days, the dying from the
dead.

Some cordage, canvass, sails, and lines, and twine,

But treasures all to hermits of the brine,

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