The wind blew high, the waters raved, <br />A ship drove on the land, <br />A hundred human creatures saved <br />Kneel'd down upon the sand. <br />Threescore were drown'd, threescore were thrown <br />Upon the black rocks wild, <br />And thus among them, left alone, <br />They found one helpless child. <br /> <br />A seaman rough, to shipwreck bred, <br />Stood out from all the rest, <br />And gently laid the lonely head <br />Upon his honest breast. <br />And travelling o'er the desert wide <br />It was a solemn joy, <br />To see them, ever side by side, <br />The sailor and the boy. <br /> <br />In famine, sickness, hunger, thirst, <br />The two were still but one, <br />Until the strong man droop'd the first <br />And felt his labors done. <br />Then to a trusty friend he spake, <br />'Across the desert wide, <br />Oh, take this poor boy for my sake!' <br />And kiss'd the child and died. <br /> <br />Toiling along in weary plight <br />Through heavy jungle, mire, <br />These two came later every night <br />To warm them at the fire. <br />Until the captain said one day <br />'O seaman, good and kind, <br />To save thyself now come away, <br />And leave the boy behind!' <br /> <br />The child was slumbering near the blaze: <br />'O captain, let him rest <br />Until it sinks, when God's own ways <br />Shall teach us what is best!' <br />They watch'd the whiten'd, ashy heap, <br />They touch'd the child in vain; <br />They did not leave him there asleep, <br />He never woke again.<br /><br />Charles Dickens<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-song-of-the-wreck/
