Successful Recitations Part 9

Had loved and would love for ever.

At last from his lips came a cry, "Good G.o.d! she never will clear it!"

Then he turned his face to the ground; While I--I looked on in terror, Watched her, sir, taking that bound.

With a cold sweat bathing my forehead, I saw her sweep onward, and gasped-- "For Heaven's sake, stop, Lady Vi'let!"

A laugh was her answer. She pa.s.sed On, on, like a s.h.i.+mmer of lightning, And then came her last great leap-- The next, sir, I saw of my lady Was a crushed and mangled heap.

Delaunay? No, he didn't follow, Nor even drew rein when she fell; But rode on, the longest way round, sir.

When he came back to claim her--well, She was dead in the arms of her lover-- Claspt tight in his mad embrace;-- With her life-blood staining her tresses, And a sad, sweet smile on her face.

I heard the last words that she uttered-- "My love! tell my father I tried To do what was best for his honour; For you and for him I have died."

A SONG FOR THE END OF THE SEASON.

BY J.R. PLANCHE.

(_FROM THE "DRAMATIC COLLEGE ANNUAL."_)

Sir John has this moment gone by In the brougham that was to be mine, But, my dear, I'm not going to cry, Though I know where he's going to dine.

I shall meet him at Lady Gay's ball With that girl to his arm clinging fast, But it won't, love, disturb me at all, I've recovered my spirits at last!

I was horribly low for a week, For I could not go out anywhere Without hearing, "You know they don't speak;"

Or, "I'm told it's all broken off there."

But the Earl whispered something last night, I sha'n't say exactly what past, But of this, dear, be satisfied quite, I've recovered my spirits at last!

THE AGED PILOT MAN.

BY MARK TWAIN.

On the Erie Ca.n.a.l, it was, All on a summer's day, I sailed forth with my parents Far away to Albany.

From out the clouds at noon that day There came a dreadful storm, That piled the billows high about, And filled us with alarm.

A man came rus.h.i.+ng from a house, "Tie up your boat I pray!

Tie up your boat, tie up, alas!

Tie up while yet you may."

Our captain cast one glance astern, Then forward glanced he, And said, "My wife and little ones I never more shall see."

Said Dollinger the pilot man, In n.o.ble words, but few-- "Fear not, but lean on Dollinger, And he will fetch you through."

The boat drove on, the frightened mules Tore through the rain and wind, And bravely still in danger's post, The whip-boy strode behind.

"Come 'board, come 'board," the captain cried, "Nor tempt so wild a storm;"

But still the raging mules advanced, And still the boy strode on.

Then said the captain to us all, "Alas, 'tis plain to me, The greater danger is not there, But here upon the sea.

So let us strive, while life remains, To save all souls on board, And then if die at last we must, I ... _cannot_ speak the word!"

Said Dollinger the pilot man, Tow'ring above the crew, "Fear not, but trust in Dollinger, And he will fetch you through."

"Low bridge! low bridge!" all heads went down, The labouring bark sped on; A mill we pa.s.sed, we pa.s.sed a church, Hamlets, and fields of corn;

And all the world came out to see, And chased along the sh.o.r.e, Crying, "Alas, the sheeted rain, The wind, the tempest's roar!

Alas, the gallant s.h.i.+p and crew, Can _nothing_ help them more?"

And from our deck sad eyes looked out Across the stormy scene: The tossing wake of billows aft, The bending forests green,

The chickens sheltered under carts, In lee of barn the cows, The skurrying swine with straw in mouth, The wild spray from our bows!

"She balances?

She wavers!

_Now_ let her go about!

If she misses stays and broaches to We're all"--[then with a shout,]

"Huray! huray!

Avast! belay!

Take in more sail!

Lor! what a gale!

Ho, boy, haul taut on the hind mule's tail!"

"Ho! lighten s.h.i.+p! ho! man the pump!

Ho, hostler, heave the lead!"

"A quarter-three!--'tis shoaling fast!

Three feet large!--three-e feet!-- 'Tis three feet scant!" I cried in fright, "Oh, is there _no_ retreat?"

Said Dollinger the pilot man, As on the vessel flew, "Fear not, but trust in Dollinger, And he will fetch you through."

A panic struck the bravest hearts, The boldest cheek turned pale; For plain to all, this shoaling said A leak had burst the ditch's bed!

And, straight as bolt from crossbow sped, Our s.h.i.+p swept on, with shoaling lead, Before the fearful gale!

"Sever the tow-line! Stop the mules!"

Too late! .... There comes a shock!

Another length, and the fated craft Would have swum in the saving lock!

Then gathered together the s.h.i.+pwrecked crew And took one last embrace, While sorrowful tears from despairing eyes Ran down each hopeless face; And some did think of their little ones Whom they never more might see, And others of waiting wives at home, And mothers that grieved would be.

But of all the children of misery there On that poor sinking frame, But one spake words of hope and faith, And I wors.h.i.+pped as they came: Said Dollinger the pilot man-- (O brave heart strong and true!)-- "Fear not, but trust in Dollinger, For he will fetch you through."

Lo! scarce the words have pa.s.sed his lips The dauntless prophet say'th, When every soul about him seeth A wonder crown his faith!