Like a wild steed pursuing me,

And dark and frothy was the main;

But suddenly a checking rein

Seemed drawn, and panting on the shore,

I heard the billows’ frightful roar.

My dream betook a different hue,

Caught from the ocean’s changeful blue.

A door was opened in my heart,

From which I saw each fear depart,

And there from some far, happy isle,

The sea breeze came as would a smile

Oh! it was sweet to wander there,

The sky o’erhanging still and bare.

A cloud, in some soft raiment dressed,

Leaned like a bride upon the west;

The sea-gulls floated on the breeze

Like blossoms blown from April trees.

The wind just kissed by summer’s mouth

Walked like a lover from the South;

And jewels from a sunbeam’s hand

Were sprinkled on the snowy sand;

The breakers ran along the beach,

And scattered shells within my reach.

I stooped and held one to my ear,

And listened as to voices dear;

And then methought far, far away,

Where purple mists made dim the day,

I saw the motion of a ship

That from the heavens seemed to slip.

On, on it came with fluttering sail,

Strong blew the steady ocean gale.

The waves were running thick and high,

But from the waves the wind withdrew

And brought the sailors close to view.

The pilot pointed to the shore,

And then to gems and shining ore

Piled up against the good ship’s side

That leaned so brave upon the tide.

Oh! there were silks of colors soft,

And plumes that proudly waved aloft;

And there were jewels, bags of gold,

From caves o’er which the water rolled,

And coral crowns—gifts of the sea—

And all of this for whom? For me.

With open arms to meet the ship

I ran, and proudly curled my lip.

No one should know from whence it came,

And none should share my wealth and fame.

My gowns of silk with me should roam,

My gold I’d closet at my home.

Ah, me! I knew not what I thought.

The ship was by a whirlwind caught.

It staggered out upon the sea—

I heard the sailors cursing me;

A flash fell from the lowering night,

And down the brave ship sank from sight.

I walk again upon the sands

With aching heart and empty hands.

Sometimes a piece of broken mast

Upon the tide goes sailing past;

And, where the sun so friendly shone,

A shadow on the sand has grown.

A strange and half-distracted dream

Comes just behind the sea-gull’s scream.

The sinking ship again I see,

The sailors hurl their oaths at me,

And like an echo from the grave

Is the sad song of wind and wave.

But somewhere, under bluer skies,

Another ship in harbor lies.

Its flags are flying free and fast,

The sails are white, and strong the mast.

’Tis loaded, too, with precious freight,

And for the same I stand and wait.

When it comes home I’ll happy be,

And all share my joy with me.

My wines at other feasts I’ll pour,

The sorrowful shall smile—yea, more,

The poor shall not be turned away,

And one and all shall bless the day.

Pablo Beach, Fla., January, 1887.