How black the seas in a pounding storm!

The lanterns were all blown out.

Only the lights within still burned

For crewmen strong and stout.   

The flash from the clouds would scarce reveal

The main and the mizzen bare.

Only a jib on the foremast flew

To point her homeward fair.

The captain on the helm withstood

The gale and pelting spray.

“Only an act of God”, he thought

“Could spare us all today!”

His ship was a fine one, swift and sound,

But was failing against the waves.

Only the quarter of a harbor near

Would save this crew so brave.

The squall raised up a fearsome wave

To send them down to hell.

Only to give the captain view

Of a lighthouse o’er the rail

That pulsing sentinel guided him

Through rocks and shallow shoal.

Only to bring them safely home,

A haggard twenty souls.