The Shipwrecked Boy

'Twas near a rock, within a bay, Where many a shatter'd vessel rides, An ample cottage shelter'd lay, Which overlook'd the ebbing tides; Its calm inhabitants would view The ocean struggling with the sky, When e'er the northern tempests blew, Or when each wave ran mountains high.

Once at the closing of a day, When angry Boreas in his rage, Had clear'd the dark'ning clouds away, Which caus'd a thund'ring war to wage; A ship-wreck'd sea-boy, pale and spent With buffeting the threat'ning waves, Straight to the peaceful cottage went, And, bending low, for succour craves.

He told his tale with feeble voice, For he'd a heart that could not feign; The list'ning hearers all rejoice, That he was safe on land again. The parents and the children strove, Who now should first his wants supply, While pity caus'd each heart to move, And sympathy fill'd ev'ry eye.

The can was fill'd, the fire was made, To cheer and dry their drenched guest, For each brought something to his aid, And anxiously the boy caress'd; At length reviv'd, express'd his mind, And shew'd his gratitude so plain, Forgot the thunder and the wind, Resolv'd to try the sea again.