Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-11-30
POETRY.
From tie .qlorandria Telescope.
THE CREWLEss BARK.

From the s4e.rd1dTJd detescope'
THE CREWLEss BARK.
g About sixty years ago the inhabitants OF the
Island of Rhode island had their attention attract
ed by the appearance of square rugged vessel
under full sail, coming in from sea, from souti
easterly direction, with the apparent lhtehtio' "a
putting into Narraganset Bay. The vessei was
seen early in the morning at great distance
she came near the Island, and about ii, a. NJ
nunher of the inhabitants collected on the shore,
IA ascertain her name and character. But IN
stead of making good harbor, the vessei eshe
,nder full sail directly on shore. No persons were
seen on deck, nor had any persons from ee u'"e
the vessel hove in sight been seen 10 ease Nv =:
Some of the inhabitants from the shore "S,' i
,red;atev on board when to their great sur
nrise and astonishment. they found the tea kettie
over the fire in the cabin, the IRE burning, the
taale set for breakfast il for number OF hands,
and vet not one of the crew on board nor was
me soul of them after heard OF NO hsihs
creature was found in the vessel, except STU.
and litter of puppies. The boat OF inc Sesse'
was missing The truth of the above story, can
not. with propriety, be doubted-The writer OF
this had his information from gentleman who
had the particulars of the history OF Mr. Lawton, a
man of unquestionable veracity, who lbeing then
bow saw the vessel come in, and went on board OF
her. Mr.. Lawton lives on the island -Other
persons also testify the same thing place,
from the circumstance, ever since been called the
svreck. The vessel belonged to owners in New
port Papers and writings we're found In regular
order"
How gay before the morning breeze,
The gallant vessel breasts the foam;
From wandering over distant seas,
How proudly she approaches home.
The rising sun has tipp'd her shrouds,
Far, far beyond the azure bay,
And all her swelling canvass crowds
Tourge her on her destined way.
She seems, at first feather hung
Upon the red horizons verge,
Or like distant sea-fowl flung
Along the undulating surge.
But, as she wanders calmly on,
And nearer halls the morning beam,
She CLOVIS like some majestic swan,
Gliding in beauty DER the stream.
Well--well she speeds-the gallant bark!
She hastens up the channel now;
Her sails shine gloriously-and bark :
How the waves murmur round her prov!
Nearer and nearer-on she rides
So grand, so gaily, and so fair,
That, as she treads along the tides,
She almost seems a form Of air.
But whittier goes she now-before
The breeze, direct still flying on,
See-see-she hastens to the shore,
She strands, she strands, why was this done /!
The vessel seems in goodly plight,
Her cabin fire burns bright and clear,
And all that meets the wondering sight,
Offers trace of festive cheer.
But no one now her action guides,
Or leads her Ger the yielding wave;
And, where was recent life, resides
The desolation of the grave.
And where is all that noble crew,
For whom this feast so late was spreadi
Who form'd this little world few
Short hours ago--where are they fed
Alas! alas for them-perhaps
Some blast of death has swept them by,
And now the weltering billow wraps
Their forms in oceans cemetry.
Perhaps their little boat has run,
On some wild errand on the wave,
And faithless, ere his task was done,
Consign'd them to one common grave.
Perhaps some cause unknown might urge
Their sudden parting-and have made
That bark less welcome than the surge
Which round its prov in murmur's play'd.
Perhaps--but ali! no tongue remains
To tell their sad, mysterious lot;
And all of them, that Fate retains.
Is. that they we're. and now are not!
MONTALDO.
n.