Robert Bonefant, Hero

 

   Robert Bonefant, Hero

 

(Robert Bonefant, a French Canadian sailor, swam 500 yards through breakers to the shore of Turks Island, and carried a rope from the wrecked British schooner Alexandra, by means of which the captain and four others were saved. – News Item.)

 

 

Chisel this man’s name in marble,

     Hang a medal on his breast;

On the wall of deeds heroic

     Let his name stand with the rest.

Through the seething, angry breakers,

     Facing death a thousand fold,

Rock below and wave above him,

     Plunged he with a courage bold.

 

Inch by inch, now swallowed deeply,

     Now high on a murd’rous wave,

Hurled against the sunken ledges

     What is that, with souls to save?

Nearer, nearer, as the vessel

     Grinds and staggers on the reef,

Bonefant gains the ragged headland

     Midst a shout of wild relief.

 

Ho, a common, clumsy sailor!

     None of fame, and left unsung;

Let this modest, undecked hero

     Know the praise of pen and tongue!

Chisel this man’s name in marble,

     Hang a medal on his breast;

On the wall of deeds heroic

     Let his name stand with the rest.

 

 

Dec. 7, ‘09