Part 4 — LIFE’S VOYAGE.

———

BY TH. GREGG.

———

A gallant bark is wildly tossing

Upon the briny wave,

Freighted deep with human treasure—

With earnest hearts and brave.

For many a day that bark is rolling

Over the trackless sea;

For many a day those hearts are beating—

Are beating to be free!

At length the shore is dimly looming

On the horizon’s verge,

When that frail vessel boldly plunges

Unto the boiling surge.

A moment—and the ship is stranded!—

A number gain the shore—

Whilst others ’neath the boiling billows

Sink down for evermore!

’Tis thus Life’s waves are ever bearing

Our fragile bark along—

Whether freighted with Sin and Sorrow

Or joyous Mirth and Song:

And thus the surges are ever beating

Against the wreck-strewn strand

That stays the tide of Life’s rough Ocean

And bounds the Spirit-Land!