# The Tempest - Source: McGuffey's Fourth Reader (fourth-reader.gutenberg.org), Public domain, William Holmes McGuffey, 1879, via Project Gutenberg - Reading level: Grade 5 - Subjects: Poems, Ocean - Topics: blast, born, cheer, deep, little, ocean - Length: 213 words, about 2 min - Original: - Page: - Open in Sprouts: By James T. Fields (born 1817, died 1881), who was born at Portsmouth, N. H. He was a poet, and the author, also, of some well known prose works. Of these, his "Yesterdays with Authors" is the most noted. 1\. We were crowded in the cabin; Not a soul would dare to sleep: It was midnight on the waters, And a storm was on the deep. 2\. 'T is a fearful thing in winter To be shattered by the blast, And to hear the rattling trumpet Thunder, "Cut away the mast!" 3\. So we shuddered there in silence, For the stoutest held his breath, While the hungry sea was roaring, And the breakers threatened death. 4\. And as thus we sat in darkness, Each one busy in his prayers, "We are lost!" the captain shouted, As he staggered down the stairs. 5\. But his little daughter whispered, As she took his icy hand, "Is n't God upon the ocean, Just the same as on the land?" 6\. Then we kissed the little maiden, And we spoke in better cheer; And we anchored safe in harbor When the morn was shining clear. DEFINITIONS.—l. Deep, the ocean. 2. Blast, tempest. 3. Break'ers, waves of the sea broken by rocks. 6. Cheer, state of mind.