Danaë, with her infant Son Perseus, was exposed in a Vessel to the fury of the waves, by order of her Father Acrisius. <br /> <br /> <br />As on the well-fram'd Vessel's side <br />Impetuous pours the stormy tide, <br />Aloud the furious whirlwinds sound, <br />And foaming surges break around, <br />Danaë, while tears her cheek bedew, <br />Her Arm around her Infant threw, <br />And, ‘ah!’ she cried, ‘what weight of woe <br />‘This wretched breast is doom'd to know, <br />‘Yet calm my helpless babe you lie, <br />‘And balmy slumber seals your eye, <br />‘Hush'd in this drear abode you sleep <br />‘Amid the horrors of the deep, <br />‘Now by the moon reveal'd to sight, <br />‘Now wrapp'd in shades of gloomy night, <br />‘Nor heed the howling waves that spread <br />‘Tremendous o'er your shelter'd head. <br />‘In your warm robe you lie reclin'd <br />‘Regardless of the raging wind. <br />‘If all these fears to you were fear <br />‘My words would pierce your infant ear; <br />‘But still may Sleep's oblivious hand <br />‘O'er you extend it's influence bland, <br />‘And O! may Slumber's placid reign <br />‘Lull the rude tempest of the main, <br />‘Bid the dread scene of terror cease, <br />‘And give my tortur'd bosom peace.’<br /><br />Henry James Pye<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-fragment-of-simonides/
