WE were crowded in the cabin, Not a soul had room to sleep; It was midnight on the waters, And the banks were very steep. 'Tis a fearful thing when sleeping To be startled by the shock, And to hear the rattling trumpet Thunder, "Coming to a lock!" So we shuddered there in silence, For the stoutest berth was shook, While the wooden gates were opened And the mate talked with the cook. And as thus we lay in darkness, Each one wishing we were there, "We are through!" the captain shouted, And he sat down on a chair. And his little daughter whispered, Thinking that he ought to know, "Isn't travelling by canal-boats Just as safe as it is slow?" Then he kissed the little maiden, And with better cheer we spoke, And we trotted into Pittsburg, When the morn looked through the smoke. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EGERTON MANUSCRIPT: 102 by THOMAS WYATT VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1883 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 130 by ALFRED TENNYSON PROEM by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH FRAGMENT OF A HYMN by JOHN BYROM |