POEM OF THE DAY

Albumen print of American publisher James Thomas Fields (1817-1881). Cropped version of File:James T Fields albumen.jpg.

Date25 June 2009, 02:15 (UTC)

Source: James_T_Fields_albumen.jpg

Author: James_T_Fields_albumen.jpg: Warren's Photography Studio, Boston

derivative work: Midnightdreary (talk)

Public domain 

Via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 

The Captain’s Daughter

 _“The Captain’s Daughter,” by James

 T. Fields (1816-81), carries weight 

with every young audience. It is

 pointed to an end that children

 love—viz., trust in a higher power._ 

We were crowded in the cabin,

Not a soul would dare to sleep,—

It was midnight on the waters,

And a storm was on the deep.

’Tis a fearful thing in winter

To be shattered by the blast,

And to hear the rattling trumpet

Thunder, “Cut away the mast!”

So we shuddered there in silence,—

For the stoutest held his breath,

While the hungry sea was roaring

And the breakers talked with Death.

As thus we sat in darkness,

Each one busy with his prayers,

“We are lost!” the captain shouted

As he staggered down the stairs.

But his little daughter whispered,

As she took his icy hand,

“Isn’t God upon the ocean,

Just the same as on the land?”

Then we kissed the little maiden.

And we spoke in better cheer,

And we anchored safe in harbour

When the morn was shining clear.

James T. Fields