THE breaking waves dashed high,
The vessel rose and fell;
My first was drenched from end to end
With every heavy swell.
The vivid lightning flashed,
The awful thunder boomed.
“Unless my last is sent to us,”
The captain said, “we ’re doomed.”
The tempest cleared away
Before the morning light.
“Within my whole,” the captain said,
“I ’ve not seen such a night.”
[54]
MY first, with the meek brown eyes,
In whose orbs a shadow lies,
Standing with reluctant feet
Where the brook and river meet,
If where wild-flowers blossom rank,
You my last upon the bank,
Down the hillside you may roll
And play havoc with my whole.
[55]
MY first, men call thee wicked, and perhaps they may be right,
Yet I contend thou shouldst be judged according to thy light.
My last, thou art a messenger received with joy or dread,—
Frequently driven, very deaf, found in an humble shed.
My whole, of upright bearing, and found in many lands,
In order to be seen of men, upon street-corners stands.