THE DERELICT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14013, 18 September 1909, Page 6

THE DERELICT.

With decks awash, a living death. My devious ways I keep? The sport of every tempest's breath, The plaything of the deep. Where the dark storm clouds whirl and rave I go, unburied, lorn, Of wind and wave the sullen slave, Forever drifting to the grave, Forever backward borne — League upon league, from strand 4* strand, Sailing unmarked, alone; A spectre ship, by phantoms manned, A tniug of neither sea nor land, On through the vast unknown. Above, the burnished arch of sky, Abyssmal depths below me lie, Pierced by no kindly ray. Where scaly monsters silent glide, And those who sank beneath the tidt In sunless, soundless caves abide, Waiting the Judgment Day. At night, tho fair horizon's verge Echoes a dismal knell Where, tossing on the murmuring surge That sings a mournful funeral dirge. Rings out the warning bell ; Yet still from risk of rock and reef The wild winds steer me free, To rove, grim messenger of grief, Still stealing like a midnight thief — Tho vampire of the sea.