Have I been ever wrecked at sea,
And nigh to being drowned
More threat’ning storms have compassed me
Than on the deep are found!

What coral reefs her dangerous lips!
My bark was nearly gone;
Hope plunged away in dire eclipse,
And black the night rolled on.

What seas are like her whelming hair,
That swept me o’er and o’er?
I heard the waters of despair
Crash round the distant shore!

“Come, Death!' I murmured in my cries—
For signals none were waved—
When both light-houses in her eyes
Shone forth, and I was saved!