As in the good ship "Annabel " We coasted off Corfu, A sudden storm upon us fell, And tore our timbers true, And rent our sails in two. Our top-mast tumbled by the board, Our mizen mast as well; Through flapping canvas, scourging cord, Above like our death-bell We heard the thunder knell. "Now cut away!" our Captain cries, "And like a cork she floats;" But axe in hand, with scowling eyes, Set teeth and cursing throats, The Lascars loose the boats. When Johnny Cox, who lay below, From off his fever bed Comes stagg'ring up, a ghastly show, As if from out the dead, And drives them back in dread. "What, quit your posts, ye cowards all, Here's ballast then for you!" With that he heaves a cannon ball Full crash the cutter through, And saves the ship and crew. But he, our hero, ere the rocks We rounded, drooped and died; And we should lower you, Johnny Cox, Lamenting, o'er the side Into the moaning tide. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BURIAL OF MOSES by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER SHE HEARS THE STORM by THOMAS HARDY VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1882 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI DISILLUSIONMENT OF TEN O'CLOCK by WALLACE STEVENS CLIO, NINE ECLOGUES IN HONOUR OF NINE VIRTUES: TO THE READER by WILLIAM BASSE |