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- THE WHITE SHIP
- KING HENRY, the Handsome Scholar, had one son named William,
- whom he dearly loved. The young man was noble and brave, and
- everybody hoped that he would some day be the King of England.
- One summer Prince William went with his father across the sea to look
- after their lands in France. They were welcomed with joy by all their
- people there, and the young prince was so gallant and kind, that he won
- the love of all who saw him.
- But at last the time came for them to go back to England. The king, with
- his wise men and brave knights, set sail early in the day; but Prince
- William with his younger friends waited a little while. They had had so
- joyous a time in France that they were in no great haste to tear
- themselves away.
- Then they went on board of the ship which was waiting to carry them
- home. It was a beautiful ship with white sails and white masts, and it
- had been fitted up on purpose for this voyage.
- The sea was smooth, the winds were fair and no one thought of danger.
- On the ship, everything had been arranged to make the trip a pleasant
- one. There was music and dancing, and everybody was merry and glad.
- The sun had gone down before the white-winged vessel was fairly out of
- the bay. But what of that? The moon was at its full, and it would give
- light enough; and before the dawn of the morrow, the narrow sea would
- be crossed. And so the prince, and the young people who were with him,
- gave themselves up to merriment and feasting and joy.
- The earlier hours of the night passed by; and then there was a cry of
- alarm on deck. A moment afterward there was a great crash. The ship
- had struck upon a rock. The water rushed in. She was sinking. Ah, where
- now were those who had lately been so heart-free and glad?
- Every heart was full of fear. No one knew what to do. A small boat was
- quickly launched, and the prince with a few of his bravest friends leaped
- into it. They pushed off just as the ship was beginning to settle beneath
- the waves. Would they be saved?
- They had rowed hardly ten yards from the ship, when there was a cry
- from among those that were left behind.
- "Row back!" cried the prince. "It is my little sister. She must be saved!"
- The men did not dare to disobey. The boat was again brought alongside
- of the sinking vessel. The prince stood up, and held out his arms for his
- sister. At that moment the ship gave a great lurch forward into the
- waves. One shriek of terror was heard, and then all was still save the
- sound of the moaning waters.
- Ship and boat, prince and princess, and all the gay company that had set
- sail from France, went down to the bottom together. One man clung to a
- floating plank, and was saved the next day. He was the only person left
- alive to tell the sad story.
- When King Henry heard of the death of his son, his grief was more than
- he could bear. His heart was broken. He had no more joy in life; and men
- say that no one ever saw him smile again.
- Here is a poem about him that your teacher may read to you, and
- perhaps, after a while, you may learn it by heart.
- HE NEVER SMILED AGAIN
- The bark that held the prince went down,
- The sweeping waves rolled on;
- And what was England's glorious crown
- To him that wept a son?
- He lived, for life may long be borne
- Ere sorrow breaks its chain:
- Why comes not death to those who mourn?
- He never smiled again.
- There stood proud forms before his throne,
- The stately and the brave;
- But who could fill the place of one,—
- That one beneath the wave?
- Before him passed the young and fair,
- In pleasure's reckless train;
- But seas dashed o'er his son's bright hair—
- He never smiled again.
- He sat where festal bowls went round;
- He heard the minstrel sing;
- He saw the tourney's victor crowned
- Amid the knightly ring.
- A murmur of the restless deep
- Was blent with every strain,
- A voice of winds that would not sleep—
- He never smiled again.
- Hearts, in that time, closed o'er the trace
- Of vows once fondly poured,
- And strangers took the kinsman's place
- At many a joyous board;
- Graves which true love had bathed with tears
- Were left to heaven's bright rain;
- Fresh hopes were born for other years—
- He never smiled again!
- MRS. HEMANS
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