_
_She asks the gift she gave to me--_
_This ring--I cannot get it off!'_
His hand and hand fought like two claws--
_'I hear her calling from the sea!'_
His terror made my own heart pause.
His voice went moaning with the wind,
And groaned and rattled, '_I have sinned_,'
And moaned and murmured at my ear
Of bat-winged angels standing near.
_'The little schooner "Patriot"--_
_I can't forget the vessel's name;_
_We met her rounding Naggs Head Bank;_
_We made her people walk the plank,_
_Twelve men whose faces I forgot._
_But there was one sweet lady there,_
_With lovely eyes and lovely hair,_
_Whose face has stayed like pain and care._
_For every man she made a prayer;_
_And when the last had found the sea,_
_I cried to her to pray for me._
_She prayed--and took this ring, and said:_
_"Wear this for me when I am dead."_
_She bowed her head, then steadfastly_
_She walked into the hungry sea._
_But silent words were on her lips,_
_And there was comfort in her hand;_
_It was as if she walked a bridge_
_That led into a pleasant land.
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