Th' Lost Trawlers
WE saw th' dories fade erway,
As swif' th' current swep',
An' watched th' forms fade in th' gray,
So dark th' shadders crep'.
We saw th' ice-bird wing its flight
Ter some dark reef ter cling,
An' saw lone Sable's far-'way light
Flash 'bove th' moon's pale ring.
We watched th' swells upheave an' fall
An' floatin' seaweeds kiss,
An' heard th' hagdons snarl an' call
Erbove th' phosphor's hiss.
We looked into each other's face,
An' woe spake unto woe.
Despair's grim outline could we trace,
As only death can show.
Th' dory frail would pitch an' sway,
Th' rowlocks shif' an' creak ;
Th' oars would bend as if at bay,
W'en up th' waves would leap.
Th' swells would lif’ ‘em high in air,
Then plunge 'em out uv sight;
Th' spray would drench th' dank brown hair,
An' sweep th' faces w'ite.
Ah, God, it was er piteous sight
Ter see 'em drif' erlong,
Ter see such faces wan an' w'ite
Ever so firm an' strong,
Ter see brave men like helpless things
Erpon th' treach'rous deep,
Jest toys ter play th' wind that sings,
An' seas that crawl an' creep.
We sent er shout, we sent er cheer,
But, oh, like g'osts they fled.
Th' darkness it was drawin' near,
An' day would soon be dead.
We sent er prayer, we changed our course,
Till night like doom came down.
We floatid here, we floatid there,
Then sailed fer Gloster town.