John Blackwell (Alun), was born of very poor parents at Mold in 1797.
Beginning life as a shoe-maker, his successes at the Eisteddfods of
Ruthin and Mold in 1823 attracted the attention of the gentry of the
neighbourhood, and a fund was formed to send him to the University. He
took his degree from Jesus College, Oxford, in 1828, and died rector of
Manordeifi 1840. His works were published under the title of "Ceinion
Alun," in 1851 (Isaac Clarke, Ruthin), and his poems were re-published in
1879, by Mr. Isaac Foulkes of Liverpool, in the "Cyfres y Ceinion."
Song of the Fisherman's Wife.
Hush, restless wave! and landward gently creeping,
No longer sullen break;
All nature now is still and softly sleeping,
And why art thou awake?
The busy din of earth will soon be o'er,
Rest thee, oh rest upon thy sandy shore.
Peace, restless sea; e'en now my heart's best treasure
Thou bearest on thy breast;
On thee he spends a life that knows no leisure
A scanty wage to wrest.
Be kind, O sea, whose limits boundless are,
And rest, oh rest, upon thy sandy bar.
Ah, cease to murmur: stay thy waves from warring,
And bid thy steeds be still;
Why should'st thou rage, when not a breeze is stirring
The treetops on the hill?
To sheltered haven bring my husband's bark
Ere yet the shadows fall and night grows dark.
Full well may women weep, we wives and daughters
Whose men are on the deep;
But who can tell our anguish when thy waters
In stormy anger leap?
Be gentle to him, sea, and rage no more,
But rest, oh rest, upon thy sandy shore.
Thou heedest not, O sea without compassion,
But ravenest for thy prey;
I turn to One who can control thy passion,
And wildest waves allay;
And He will take my loved one 'neath His care,
And make thee rest upon thy sandy bar.
An Idyll.