Torn out again by a sudden storm
Is it the 'Jean', you think?"
A hundred women stared agape,
The menfolk nudged and laughed,
But none could find a likelier story
For the strange craft.
With fear and death and desolation
Rigged fore and aft.
The blind ship came forgotten home
To all but one of these
Of whom none dared to climb aboard her:
And by and by the breeze
Sprang to a storm and the "Alice Jean"
Foundered in frothy seas.
THE CUPBOARD.
Mother
What's in that cupboard, Mary?
Mary
Which cupboard, mother dear?
Mother
The cupboard of red mahogany
With handles shining clear.
Mary
That cupboard, dearest mother,
With shining crystal handles?
There's nought inside but rags and jags
And yellow tallow candles.
Mother
What's in that cupboard, Mary?
Mary
Which cupboard, mother mine?
Mother
That cupboard stands in your sunny chamber,
The silver corners shine.
Mary
There's nothing there inside, mother,
But wool and thread and flax,
And bits of faded silk and velvet,
And candles of white wax.
Mother
What's in that cupboard, Mary?
And this time tell me true.
Mary
White clothes for an unborn baby, mother,
But what's the truth to you?
THE BEACON.
The silent shepherdess,
She of my vows,
Here with me exchanging love
Under dim boughs.
Shines on our mysteries
A sudden spark--
"Dout the candle, glow-worm,
Let all be dark.
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