'Take comfort, mate! If you will allow me, I will read a hymn to you.'
'A hymn!' exclaimed the stranger, starting. 'Ah, well--read it.
The young fisherman took a hymn-book from a shelf, and began to read in a low and trembling voice,
'Teach me, like autumn leaves, to fade
With joy, oh yellow forest glade!
A brighter spring is nigh.
The summer of eternity
Reigns where, an ever-verdant tree,
My roots shall never die.
'Teach me--oh, wandering bird! like thee