Quote by Thomas Haynes Bayly, The Pilot
Oh! Pilot! 'tis a fearful night,There's danger on the deep,I'll come and pace the deck with thee,I do not dare to sleep.Go down, the sailor cried, go down,This is no place for thee;Fear not! but trust in Providence,Wherever thou mayst be.Ah! Pilot, dangers often metWe all are apt to slight,And thou hast known these raging wavesBut to subdue their might.It is not apathy, he cried,That gives this strength to me,Fear not but trust in Providence,Wherever thou mayst be.On such a night the sea engulphedMy father's lifeless form;My only brother's boat went downIn just so wild a storm;And such, perhaps, may be my fate,But still I say to thee,Fear not but trust in Providence,Wherever thou mayst be.
Summary
The quote speaks to the courage and resilience one can find in the face of danger. The speaker, a sailor, asks the pilot to keep him company on a fearful night at sea because he doesn't dare to sleep. When the pilot urges him to go below deck for safety, the sailor responds that he has strength in the face of danger because of his trust in Providence (or fate). He recounts the tragedies experienced by his family at sea, yet steadfastly maintains that fear should be replaced with trust in a higher power. The quote emphasizes the resilience and faith needed to confront and overcome adversity.