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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON THE LOSS OF THE 'AVENGER' by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON

First Line: WHAT HEART UNMOV'D, WHAT EYE WITHOUT A TEAR
Last Line: THEN LET THEIR CRY COME UNTO THEE, AND SAVE!
Subject(s): DISASTERS; SHIPWRECKS;

WHAT heart unmov'd, what eye without a tear,
The fated ship can follow in her flight?
As shoots a transient star through azure night,
Such, on the ocean wave, her brief career.
That bell's last tone awoke no boding fear;
'Mid busy thoughts, 'mid visions of delight,
Wrapt in the past, or with the future bright,
No sound, no sign, to warn that death was near.
O fearful moment! stricken as she sped,
Her keel rock-pierc'd, her hull asunder riven,
The gallant ship bestrew'd the sweeping wave.
An hour shall come more fearful yet, her dead
The sea shall yield again; in mercy, Heaven,
Then let their cry come unto Thee, and save!



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