Thursday, May 23, 2013

LITTLE HAL


Old Ironsides at anchor lay,
In the harbor of Mahon;
A dead calm rested on the bay­
The waves to sleep had gone­
When little Hal, the captain's son,
A lad both brave and good,
In sport up shroud and rigging ran,
    And on the main-truck stood!
A shudder shot through every vein;
    All eyes were turned on high;

There stood the boy, with dizzy brain,
    Between the sea and sky.
No hold had he above, below:
    Alone he stood in air;
To that far height none dared to go­
    No aid could reach him there.
We gazed, but not a man could speak!
     With horror all aghast,
In groups, with pallid brow and cheek,
     We watched the quivering mast. .
  The atmosphere grew thick and hot,
     And of a lurid hue,
As, riveted unto the spot,
  Stood officers and crew.
The father came on deck. He gasped
      "0 God, thy will be done!"

Then suddenly a rifle grasped
   And aimed it at his son;
"Jump-far out, boy, into the wave,
   Jump, or I fire," he said;
"That only chance your life can save!
   Jump! Jump, boy!" He obeyed.
He sank-he rose--he lived-he moved,
   And for the ship struck out;
On board we haled the lad beloved
   With many a manly shout.
His father drew, in silent joy,
   Those wet arms 'round his neck,
And folded to his heart his boy­
   Then fainted on the deck.

Colton.

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