Rafe's Chasm
by Maria Dodge

O MIGHTY chasm of the deep! 
Whose murmuring echoes never sleep, 
But ceaseless moan in monotone, 
Till roused by ocean's gloomy frown. 
Ah! then thy thunders break and roll 
Beneath the heavens' dark'ning scroll, 
And angry waves come dashing in 
With foaming crest, and 'mid the din 
Is heard the sea-gull's piercing scream. 
All Nature bows beneath the shock: 
The lofty tree-tops bend and rock ; 
And e'en the grass, each slender blade, 
Close to its mother-earth has laid. 
But lo ! a hush comes o'er the storm, 
The sun brings forth a rosy morn, 
And on each rough and ragged seam 
The drops of spray like diamonds gleam. 
And thro' thy cavern, dark and deep, 
Once more the echoes moan and Weep.