And vast and silent fish swim by,

And scan the wreck with cruel eye.

Ha! lights ahead! A ship is near!

The dumb wreck makes no sign;

No lantern shows, returns no cheer,

But straight and full, without a veer,

Sped by the urging brine

She goes—a crash! her errand done,

The deadly, lonely thing drives on.

Oh, hopeless lives, distorted, crushed,