TO MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKEN.

BY THE OLD SAILOR.

OMEN of rising wind and wave—
Dark hoverer o'er the seaman's grave-
Child of the lightning and the blast,
Skimming the billow tops so fast,
And'dashing on through foam and spray,
Floating in air thy liquid way—
Come, show us where the tempests rise!
Whether from ocean, earth, or skies!
And whilst around they fling their spell,
Acquaint us where the storm-fiends dwell!
Are they in caverns of the sea,
Holding their fearful revelry:

Then shrieking in the sailor's ears,

Torment his mind with doubts and fears,

As clinging to the topmast-head

Visions of dying and the dead

Flit by, with piercing howl and yell,
To sound a drowning messmate's knell :
And when the spectral crew have flown,
Leave presage
may be his own?

Or tell us of the softer charm,
That lulls the gale, and brings the calm:
Or the sweet influence of the breeze,

That wafts us o'er the rolling seas,
Which sparkle in the sun's bright rays,
Cheering the heart to joy and praise :
Or moon-beams, dancing on the stream,
Emblem of Hope's delusive dream!

Art thou a tenant of the clouds,
That play amongst the lofty shrouds ?
Or do thy weary pinions rest,
Folded across thy downy breast,
Cradled in Nature's balmy sleep,
Upon the bosom of the deep?

Art thou the imp of sighs and groans-

The messenger of Davy Jones

That sire of mischief and of trick,

By lubber landsmen named old Nick?

Or dost thou skim along our lee,

Then dip, and straight to windward flee, An honest, gen'rous, friendly sprite, That in thy rapid, swimming flight,

Dare tell us of approaching gales,
And warn us to reduce our sails,
Before the fury of the storm
Comes down, the waters to deform,
And fling them upwards to the sky,
In billows running mountains high!

Come, tell us all-bring in thy bill,
Whether it be for good or ill-
We will not shrink, whate'er betide,
Whilst o'er the crested waves we ride;
Claiming, by arduous skill, to reign
As Monarchs of the azure Main.

CROSSING THE LINE.

(With an Illustration.)

FOR several days we had been laying in a continued succession of calms, broken only at short intervals by light and almost imperceptible airs, that carried the ship stealthily along towards the equator. The sails drooped listlessly from the yards, occasionally flapping against the masts, as the undulating swell of the sea gave them motion. The helm had no control, and the head wavered round to all points of the compass. The rain, at intervals, came pouring down in torrents, as if the windows of Heaven had opened, as in the days of yore; and then the sun would shoot out his intense rays, bringing weariness to the body and a faintness to the spirit-the vast ocean, like a burnished shield, threw off the brilliant reflections from the gorgeous luminary, dazzling to the sight and bewildering to the brain-and notwithstanding the awnings were spread, foreand-aft, to screen the decks from the scorching heat, both Officers and men of a fine seventy-four were lolling about as if they did not care to stir a single limb. The afternoon came-the sun was descending in the due west when the lofty and lighter canvas slept, though not a breath of wind could be felt below, and the feathered dog-vane clung round the staff-the ship stole silently through the water, and became obedient to the helmsman, who brought her to her proper course, and anxious whistlings were heard, as if by harmony to court the breeze. A piece of paper thrown overboard fell perpendicularly upon the glassy surface of the water, but in a minute

or two had passed away astern, marking the progress of the ship ahead. As evening advanced, her speed was accelerated—the topsails began to slumber-the sea lost its look of brightness, and assumed a deeper blue, whilst white bubbles arose from the cutwater, and ranged away in mimic foam along the vessel's bends, leaving in her wake a long line to show the track over which she had recently passed. Then came the gentle breeze, sweeping above the bosom of the deep-bracing up the nerves and invigorating the system, as it filled the heavy canvas that swelled to its delicious breathing. All was animation-the topmen busied themselves aloft-the studding sails were set-there was a chattering under the bows, as the ship cleaved the liquid element-the log was hove, and six knots reported. "Hold on, good wind," said the Officer of the watch, and before daylight we shall have crossed the line."

66

It was a glorious night, and onward went the seventy-four, as steady and as majestic as the monarch of the waves. Early dawn was seen streaking the eastern horizon with its lovely light-the seamen were preparing to wash the decks-yet scarcely a sound disturbed the quiet of the hour. Suddenly a distant rumbling noise was heard, and a loud splashing in the water, like a shoal of grampuses at play. Soon afterwards, an indistinct utterance of voices seemed to be hailing the ship, and in a few minutes a single, or it might be a double pair of lungs, vociferated, "Ho, the ship ahoy." "Halloo," responded the Lieutenant of the watch, through his brass trumpet, and every one stood still.

"Jist back your main-yard and stop her way a bit, if you please," returned the voice, "for my sea-horses are getting rusty from good feed, and won't mind their helm. Stop her way, and you shall soon see who and what I am"

The main-yard was squared-the progress of the ship was deadened and again, amidst much splashing and confusion under the bows, the same voice shouted, "Gee-wohoy-woay-wo-avast there, and be blowed to you-can't you be still? Heave us the end of a rope, some of you grinning lubbers upon deck-what are you all staring at?-why, did you never any on you see a Triton afore?" The rope was thrown. Well-behaved, my lads; now jump over here, one or two of you, and lend us a hand aboard." This request

was also complied with, and presently a most uncouth-looking figure appeared, with half of his naked body above the bulwark, whilst the whole watch, and many who came stealthily from their hammocks, gathered on the forecastle to see what was going on. A huge mass of sea-weed and twisted rope-yarns formed a covering for the head, in the shape of an enormous wig, with a considerable length of pigtail behind-the body was covered with large fish-scales, that looked, however, very much like tin and pewter-the arms were bare, but ornamented, as was also the neck, with sea-shells and pieces of rockcoral, all of divers colours-the face, as much of it as could be seen, was of a dingy snuff-shaded red-the eyes and features displayed a laughter-loving fondness for fun and mischief.

"Here I am, your honour," said he, taking the forelock of his sea-weed covering between the finger and thumb of his left hand, and lugging it a little forward.

The Lieutenant raised his hat in return to the salute. what are your commands with us?" asked he.

"And

“I am a Triton, your honour, sent as a messenger by King Neptune, to welcome all hands of you to his derminions," answered the strange-looking being; "and to say as he purposes to pay you a wisit, with Queen Hampertight, to muster the ship's company and claim the humbug (he meant "homage") of his subjects as have never crossed the equiknockshall line afore. And your honour knows as it's of no use to try and gammon him in the regard of the overhauling, for here's a list of names as he expects to see, to do him soot and sarvice, as well to give a friendly hail to owld shipmates-that is, I means friends and acquaintances."

"And that's kind on him, too," said the boatswain, who just made his appearance; "but I'm saying, my scaly blade, do you think that he'll recollect us all ?"

"No doubt in the world, Master Blow bellows," answered the Triton; "you see as I knows you. But there's much in regard of the cut and shape of the figure-head, and yours arn't to be easily forgotten, any how."

A most insubordinate burst of laughter followed this response, for the boatswain had about as ugly a countenance as any mortal would be glad to get rid of; and he slued round, mumbling to himself, "Ho-ho-that's it, is it?-all discipline hove to the devil. But never mind, my fine fellow, I'll pay you off for your joke before many dog-watches are out, never fear."

When order was somewhat restored, the Triton handed the list to the Lieutenant-(who had laughed as hearty as any of the rest)—