A TALE. [This tale is founded on an article which appeared in the Buckinghamshire Herald, for Saturday, June 1, 1793:-Glasgow, May 23. In a block, or pulley, near the head of the mast of a gabert, now lying at the Broomielaw, there is a chaffinch's nest and four eggs. The nest was built while the vessel lay at Greenock, and was followed hither by both birds. Though the block is occasionally lowered for the inspection of the curious, the birds have not forsaken the nest. The cock, however, visits the nest but seldom, while the hen never loaves it The hull, which all earthly strength dis- Where the whale and the shark and the dainsswordfish sleep, They strain and they crack; and hearts like Outflying the blast and the driving rain, stone The petrel telleth her tale in vain. Their natural hard proud strength disown. For the mariner curseth the warning bird Which bringeth him news of the storm unheard. Up and down! up and down! From the base of the wave to the billow's Ah! thus does the prophet of good or ill Meet hate from the creatures he serveth still; crown; And 'midst the flashing and feathery foam For her who lives on the wide wide sea, Yet he never falters-so, petrel, spring Once more o'er the waves on thy stormy wing. PROCTER |