Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SMUGGLER BOY, by ELIZA COOK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SMUGGLER BOY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We stole away at the fall of night
Last Line: Like the moonlight sail with the smuggler boy.
Subject(s): Smuggling & Smugglers


We stole away at the fall of night,
When the red round moon was deepening her light,
But none knew whither our footsteps bent,
Nor how those stealthy hours were spent;
For we crept away to the rocky bay,
Where the cave and craft of a fierce band lay;
We gave the signal-cry, "Ahoy!"
And found a mate in the smuggler boy.

His laugh was deep, his speech was bold,
And we loved the fearful tales he told
Of the perils he met in his father's bark,
Of the chase by day and the storm by dark;
We got him to take the light boat out,
And gaily and freshly we dashed about,
And nought of pleasure could ever decoy
From the moonlight sail with the smuggler boy.

We caught his spirit, and learnt to love
The cageless eagle more than the dove;
And wild and happy souls were we,
Roving with him by the heaving sea.
He whispered the midnight work they did,
And showed us where the kegs were hid:
All secrets were ours -- a word might destroy --
But we never betrayed the smuggler boy.

We sadly left him, bound to range
A distant path of care and change;
We have sought him again, but none could relate
The place of his home, or a word of his fate:
Long years have sped, but we dream of him now
With the red cap tossed on his dauntless brow;
And the world hath never given a joy
Like the moonlight sail with the smuggler boy.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net