A THOUSAND miles from land are we, br Tossing about on the roaring sea; br From billow to bounding billow cast, br Like fleecy snow on the stormy blast: br The sails are scatter’d abroad, like weeds, br The strong masts shake like quivering reeds, br The mighty cables, and iron chains, br The hull, which all earthly strength disdains, br They strain and they crack, and hearts like stone br Their natural hard, proud strength disown. br br Up and down! Up and down! br From the base of the wave to the billow’s crown, br And midst the flashing and feathery foam br The Stormy Petrel finds a home,— br A home, if such a place may be, br For her who lives on the wide, wide sea, br On the craggy ice, in the frozen air, br And only seeketh her rocky lair br To warm her young, and to teach them spring br At once o’er the waves on their stormy wing.