Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904. | | | | VII. The Sea | | The Minute-Gun | | R. S. Sharpe (1759–1835) |
| | | WHEN in the storm on Albion’s coast, | |
| The night-watch guards his weary post, | |
| From thoughts of danger free, | |
| He marks some vessel’s dusky form, | |
| And hears, amid the howling storm, | 5 |
| The minute-gun at sea. | |
| |
| Swift on the shore a hardy few | |
| The life-boat man with a gallant crew | |
| And dare the dangerous wave; | |
| Through the wild surf they cleave their way, | 10 |
| Lost in the foam, nor know dismay, | |
| For they go the crew to save. | |
| |
| But O, what rapture fills each breast | |
| Of the hopeless crew of the ship distressed! | |
| Then, landed safe, what joy to tell | 15 |
| Of all the dangers that befell! | |
| Then is heard no more, | |
| By the watch on shore, | |
| The minute-gun at sea. | | | | |
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