Our ship was anchored in the bay,
It was the dead of night;
But on the waters where she lay
The moon was shining bright.
It was my watch, and to and fro
I silently did pace;
Till suddenly a stranger came,
With mild and pleasant face.
He handed me a ring, and said,
“Tis yours for weal or woe:
Guard it with care, and while you live
‘Twill happiness bestow:
But yours the sorrow and the pain,
If of it you’re bereft;
You’ll suffer misery untold:”
And then the stranger left.
Another sought me as I mused
On what had taken place.
I told him: he with scorn abused
My folly to my face.
“A paltry gift,” he said, “you have;
What virtue’s in a ring?
If it were mine, beneath that wave
The bauble I would fling.”
With reasonings false and many words
He sorely tempted me;
Till from my hand I plucked the ring,
And threw it in the sea!
Then at that instant were the hills
All wrapped in living flame;
And as I there in terror stood,
The stranger called my name.
Insultingly I heard him say,
In tones of hellish glee,
“God’s mercy you have thrown away;
Now you will go with me—
And meet the vengeance of your Judge,
Within that burning mount;
Those flames you witness are God’s wrath,
Kindled on your account.”
I trembled then in agony—
I knew I must depart;
For, self-condemned, I had no plea,
No hope within my heart.
But now the other came and asked
The reason of my grief.
Ashamed, I frankly told him all.
He promised me relief.
Beneath the water, at the place
Where I had dropped my ring,
He then went down, but soon returned,
The precious gift to bring.
And now the wicked spirit fled,
The flames were all subdued;
With tears of joy and gratitude
My Saviour now I viewed.
With words of love he counselled me
My weakness brought to mind:
That I in times of trial might
The needful blessing find.
But now the rays of morning light
Across my pallet stream;
And with a sudden, joyful start,
I wake—’tis but a dream!