IN MEMORIAM.

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 34, 7 May 1881, Page 365

IN MEMORIAM.

Never, since that dark Sunday Avoke, ; Those manly hearts to sad despair, I And the illfated Orpheus broke In daylight calm, in weather fair, Upon those shifting bars of sand Thrilled such dread tidings through our land ! But then arose no children's cry No Avoman's shriek the air imprest, Calmly the strong man dares to die And locks his grief Avithin his breast. But uoav, ah now, Aye hear those screams ! We hear them in our midnight dreams ! The young, the fair, the rich, the brave In one engulfing horror doomed, No life boat there to help, or save, Though the dear shore in nearness loomed ; Though a few furlongs parted only The living from the lost and lonely ! Ah, chant a requiem ! shed a tear ! For that fair Avomanhood defaced, For that strong manhood stark, and. drear, For those bright lamps of life effaced ! Then Avrap the Avinding sheet around And lay them into holy ground. And, ah ! for tender pity's sake, The gallant captain's memory spare ; The hearts who loved him needs must break, He did what a brave man might dare He died mid that defenceless throng Of women, children did he wrong ? Ah, noble spirit rest m peace ! Beyond the fleeting breath of fame, Otara's fogs, and glooms increase, But thou art gone Avhere none may blame Where that long agony Avill seem The vague remembrance of a dream.