Down sank the bell with a gurgling sound,
The bubbles rose and burst around;

Quoth Sir Ralph, "The next who comes to

( 138 )

THE INCHCAPE ROCK.

So thick a haze o'erspreads the sky
They cannot see the sun on high;
The wind hath blown a gale all day,
At evening it hath died away.

On the deck the Rover takes his stand;
So dark it is they see no land.

Quoth Sir Ralph, "It will be lighter soon,
For there is the dawn of the rising moon."

"Canst hear," said one,
"the breakers roar?
For methinks we should be near the shore."
"Now where we are I cannot tell,

But I wish I could hear the Inchcape Bell."

They hear no sound; the swell is strong;
Though the wind hath fallen they drift along,
Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock :
"O Christ! it is the Inchcape Rock!"

66

Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair,
And beat his breast in his despair;
The waves rush in on every side,

And the ship sinks down beneath the tide.

139

SOUTHEY.

140

THE THREE BELLS.

THE THREE BELLS.

Beneath the low-hung night cloud
That raked her splintering mast
The good ship settled slowly,
The cruel leak gained fast.

Over the awful ocean

Her signal guns pealed out.
Dear God! was that thy answer
From the horror round about?

A voice came down the wild wind, "Ho! ship ahoy!" its cry;

"Our stout Three Bells of Glasgow

Shall lay till daylight by!

Hour after hour crept slowly,

Yet on the heaving swells
Tossed up and down the ship-lights,
The lights of the Three Bells!

And ship to ship made signals,
Man answered back to man,
While oft, to cheer and hearten,

The Three Bells nearer ran;

THE THREE BELLS.

And the captain from her taffrail

Sent down his hopeful cry;

"Take heart! Hold on!" he shouted, "The Three Bells shall lay by!"

141