“I was alone, except my boy,—
Sixteen,—my wife’s best hope and joy;
And who can doubt, that is not mad,
He was the proudest pride I had!
I let him take the vacant oar;
I took him with me from the shore;
I let him try help save a life:
I drowned him,—and it killed my wife!
“Somebody stole a cask or bale,
At least so ran the pleasant tale.