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 Jack, the captain's son, With gallant hardihood, Climbed shroud and spar -- and then upon The main-truck rose and stood! A shudder ran 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! At 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 officer and crew. The father came on deck -- He gasped, "O, 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 -- He for the ship struck out! On board we hailed the lad beloved With many a manly shout. His father drew, in silent joy, Those wet arms round his neck, Then folded to his heart the boy, And fainted on the deck! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COLUMBUS by EDWARD EVERETT HALE THE COLLEGE COLONEL by HERMAN MELVILLE AN ECHO FROM WILLOW-WOOD by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE SOLITARY REAPER by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH SOME SWEET DAY by LEWIS J. BATES RECOGNITION by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE TO PERCY BUCK by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES VERSES ON THE DESTRUCTION OF DRUMLANRIG WOODS by ROBERT BURNS |