POEMS. 293

''And Dick, though pale as any ghost,

Had only said to me,
" *We*re all right now, old lad !' when up

A wave rolled— drenched us three-^
One lurch — ^and then I felt the chill

And roar of blinding sea.
"I don't remember much but that —

You see, I'm safe and sound ;
I have been wrecked four times since then.
Seen queer sights, I'll be bound :
I think folks sleep beneath the deep.
As calm as under ground."

"But Dick and Dolly?" "Well, poor Dick !

I saw him rise and cling
Unto the gunwale of the boat —

Floating keel up — and sing
Out loud, 'Where's Doll?' — I hear him yet.
As clear as any thing.
" 'Where's Dolly?' I no answer made ;

For she dropped like a stone
Down through the deep sea — and it closed :

The little thing was gone.
'Where's Doll?' three times — then Dick loosed hold,

And left me there alone. "



"It's five and forty year since then,"
Muttered the boatman grey.
And drew his rough hand o'er his eyes,
And stared across the bay ;



204 POEMS.
"Just five and forty year !** — And not
Another word did say.
"But Dolly?" ask the children all,

As they about him stand ; —
"Poor Doll I she floated back next tide

With seaweed in her hand.
She's buried o*er that hill you see,

In a churchyard on land.
' * But where Dick lies, God knows ! He'll find
Our Dick at judgment day. " —

The boatman fell to mending nets.
The boys ran off to play ;

And the sun shone and the waves danced
In quiet Swanage Bay.
