VERSES WRIITEN ON THE WRECK OF THE "CATARAQUI." [From the Sydney Morning Herald.]

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 21, 25 October 1845, Page 4

VERSES WRIITEN ON THE WRECK OF THE "CATARAQUI." [From the Sydney Morning Herald.]

Four weary days the noble barque Hud borne on gallantly; Nor sun nor friendly star to mark Her course upon the sea. ( The wished for land f —how hundreds gazed, Piercing- the murky air ; tfesSs And many hearts to heaven up-raised, Breath'd forth a silent prayer. O'er the doom'd vessel now descends The black and gloomy night; And still the prayer to heaven ascends. Oh! for the morrow's light — Alas!—to manhood in its primeOld age —and childish glee— That morrow brought the last of Time, First of Eternity! Onward she strives —the midnight's past 5 What means that dreadful sound? The cry of wail that meets the blast,. The billows' maddening bound ? She's struck !—her quivering timbers groan, The howling winds rush by; Like a huge monster overthrown, She lays her down to die. Four hundred souls in mute despair, That fearful night did brave; Morn came —no gleam of hope was there, No earthly power, can save. Death hovers o'er them—btiU to prove (When all their perils' past) . , „ The constancy of human love, Enduring to the last! Mothers look'd on that threatening sea Who, fearless ofthc grave, Had shed their life's biood willingly, So they a child might save ! And manly hearts were beating there, Whose fears were cast'asideSave for the lov'd ones, young and fair, Now trembling at thrir side. One echoing crash—" she parts!—she parts I" One yell of frightful doom j 1 A moment —and these beating hearts * Are in a watery tomb. Oh piteous fate! 'mid that that wild surge Such sudden death to meet; Thf hollow winds their funeral dirge, The wave their winding-sheet! • - Great God •' How shall an erring worm 'Jhy wondrous ways explore! Thou ridest forth upon the storm, Or check'st the tempfcst's roar. , Oh, for each .tie of kindred broke, Do thou a balm impart; We bow beneath thy,chastening stroke, " Bind thou each breaking heart!"