Hartford Public High School - Classbook Yearbook (Hartford, CT)

Page 12 text:

1. A. THE CHRONICLE Aboard the third boat on the rocks, Is seen a group of men NVho think of home, and those whom they May never'see again. Two of their group have perished, and They feel a giant wave Grind their boat beneath them, and They call on God to save. VVhen-see! there! coming toward them, As in answer to their call, They spy a tiny fishing boat, That comes to save them all. It's coming nearer, nearer still, In spite of dashing wave, And now it's reached their boat-oh, Thank God! for they are saved. Pk Pk :oc if :sf :of The night is gone, the storm has passed, 'Tis early in the morn, The beach is filled with village folk, From watching, tired and worn. Each has his fears, yet hope still fills The heart of everyone, W'hen, suddenly, dark sails are seen. Against the rising sun. And thro' the day, and all the night The workers come ashore, Not eighty joyous fishermen, But only sixty-four. Some bring back cargoes rich in fish, And others none at all, ' lvhile some come in with tattered sail That tells of harmful squall.

Page 11 text:

THE CHRONICLE Some know not where they wish to go, And closely hug the shore, And others simply trail the wakes Of those that go before. For days the weather is the best, From morn to setting sun, The sea is calm, the fish run well, There's work for everyone. But one fair morn, while they're at work, The wind falls, like a pall, And then they know, without a doubt, They'll strike a nasty squall. The Hsher quickly pulls his net, And starts to reef the sail, And makes all preparations ' Against the coming gale. The storm comes on-the roaring gale Gives them a fearful shock- A flash! a crash! and three small boats Are dashed against a rock! - In one boat are four fishermen Not hardy as the rest, They are no match for that wild sea, Although they light their best. From the second fated boat, VVhich crumbled like a leaf, One man alone is saved, and he A coward and a thief. He takes the only dory there, Knocks down his weaker mates, And rows himself away from harm, And leaves them to their fates. .A

Page 13 text:

THE CHRONTCLE All praise the one who saved his mates, Although no goods has he, And speak in scornful words of him W'ho acted cowardly. And so each one brings what he has, That all the world may see- In worldly riches, cowardice, Gr great humanity. , And now today, we leave the port For Life's wild, storm-tossed sea, To us just now the way looks clear, What will the future be? When storms we meet, with roaring gale, And into danger run, e Shall we turn coward, or shall we stay And save the weaker one? Shall we come in with cargoes rich, Or come with empty hold? Or shall we come with tattered sail, When all the story's told? Let's fill our hold with high resolve, With faith, and conscience clear, Let's seek to find the world's best gift- A life that knows no fear. Let us come back with decks all cleared, Our lines all trim and taut, And hear the captain greet us: Mates, A goodly light-well fought. MATTIE E. CYBRIEN