POEMS OF JAMES RYDER RANDALL
Far out at sea! far out at sea!
The bird-like bark flew merrily!
The day-god slept—his bride on high
Wove isles of light o’er wave and sky;
On, on we flew, and from the wake
What moon-enameled beauties break!
A vapory veil of silver bars
Entangled in a sky of stars—
Supernal visions came to me
Far out at sea! far out at sea!
Far out at sea! far out at sea!
The raven screams upon the lee;
The storm-king rides the lightning now,
And wreck and ruin bare his brow—
A gallant ship, descending fast,
Is whirled beneath the waters vast,
And with her in the whelming tide,
The loveliest child that ever died
In faith, in purity and pride!
One fair white arm upon her breast,
One sunny curl lost [rom the rest,
And there she lies—sweet Melanie!
Far out at sea! far out at sea!
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