THE SAND AND THE ROCK. "I will open my dark saying upon the harp." Sun, moon, and stars appear'd to glide, And lights and shadows came and went. I ate and drank, I danced and sung, Reclined at ease, at leisure stroll'd, Collecting shells and pebbles, flung Upon the beach, for gems and gold. I said unto my soul," Rejoice! In safety, wealth, and pleasure here;" But while I spake a secret voice, Within my bosom, whisper'd" Fear!" I heeded not, and went to rest, Prayerless, once more, beneath my roof, Nor deem'd the eagle on his nest More peril-free, more tempest-proof. But in the dead and midnight hour A storm came down upon the deep ; Wind, rain, and lightning, such a stour, Methought 'twas doomsday in my sleep. I strove, but could not wake, the stream Beat vehemently on my wall; I felt it tottering in my dream; It fell, and dreadful was the fall. Swept with the ruins down the flood, I woke; home, hope, and heart were gone; My brain flash'd fire, ice thrill'd my blood; Life, life was all I thought upon. Death, death was all that met my eye; I look'd in vain for land and sky; All was one sea, that sea one grave. I struggled through the strangling tide, As though a bowstring wrung my neck; Help! help!" voice fail'd, I fain had cried, And clung convulsive to the wreck. |