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216
the life-voyage.

But still she smiled a loftier smile,
And raised her frank, bright eyes,
And cried—"I bear my vestal star
Home, home to yonder skies!"

The wind is fresh—the sail swells free—
High shoots the diamond spray!
And merrily o'er the moaning sea
The light boat leaps away!

Suddenly, stillness broods around,
A stillness as of death,
Above, below—no motion, sound!
Hardly a struggling breath!

Then wild and fierce the tempest came,
The dark wind-demons clash'd
Their weapons swift—the air was flame!
The waves in madness dash'd!

They swarm'd around the tossing boat—
"Wilt yield thy jewel now?
Look! look! already drench'd in spray,
It trembles at the prow.