"I heard its hoarse and screaming voice High hovering o'er my frenzied head, ''Tis, Gervase Matcham, at thy choice! But he—the Boy!' methought it said. —Nay, Andrew, check that vengeful frown,— I lov'd thee when I struck thee down!
"'Twas done!—the deed that damns me—done I know not how—I never knew;— And Here I stood—but not alone,— The prostrate Boy my madness slew, Was by my side—limb, feature, name, 'Twas He!!—another—yet the same!
"Away! away! in frantic haste Throughout that live-long night I flew— Away! away!—across the waste,— I know not how—I never knew,— My mind was one wild blank—and I Had but one thought,—one hope—to fly!
"And still the lightning ploughed the ground, The thunder roared—and there would come Amidst its loudest bursts a sound, Familiar once—it was—A Drum!— Then came the morn,—and light,—and then Streets,—houses,—spires,—the hum of men.
"And Ocean roll'd before me—fain Would I have whelm'd me in its tide, At once beneath the billowy main My shame, my guilt, my crime to hide; But He was there!—He cross'd my track,— I dared not pass—He waved me back!
"And then rude hands detained me—sure Justice had grasp'd her victim—no! Though powerless, hopeless, bound, secure, A captive thrall, it was not so; They cry 'The Frenchman's on the wave!' The press was hot—and I a slave.
"They dragg'd me o'er the vessel's side; The world of waters roll'd below; The gallant ship, in all her pride Of dreadful beauty, sought her foe; —Thou saw'st me, William, in the strife— Alack! I bore a charmed life;
"In vain the bullets round me fly, In vain mine eager breast I bare; Death shuns the wretch who longs to die, And every sword falls edgeless there! Still He is near!—and seems to cry, 'Not here, nor thus, may Matcham die!'—