第4章

Comeup,comeinfromEastward,fromtheguardportsoftheMorn!

Beatup,beatinfromSoutherly,OgipsiesoftheHorn!

SwiftshuttlesofanEmpire’sloomthatweaveus,maintomain,TheCoastwiseLightsofEnglandgiveyouwelcomebackagain!

Go,getyougoneup—Channelwiththesea—crustonyourplates;

Go,getyouintoLondonwiththeburdenofyourfreights!

Haste,fortheytalkofEmpirethere,andsay,ifanyseek,TheLightsofEnglandsentyouandbysilenceshallyespeak!

TheSongoftheDeadHearnowtheSongoftheDead——intheNorthbythetornberg—edges——

TheythatlookstilltothePole,asleepbytheirhide—strippedsledges。

SongoftheDeadintheSouth——inthesunbytheirskeletonhorses,Wherethewarrigalwhimpersandbaysthroughthedustofthesearriver—courses。

SongoftheDeadintheEast——intheheat—rottedjunglehollows,Wherethedog—apebarksinthekloof——

inthebrakeofthebuffalo—wallows。

SongoftheDeadintheWest——

intheBarrens,thewastethatbetrayedthem,Wherethewolverenetumblestheirpacksfromthecampandthegrave—moundtheymadethem;

HearnowtheSongoftheDead!

I

Weweredreamers,dreaminggreatly,intheman—stifledtown;

Weyearnedbeyondthesky—linewherethestrangeroadsgodown。

CametheWhisper,cametheVision,camethePowerwiththeNeed,TilltheSoulthatisnotman’ssoulwaslentustolead。

Asthedeerbreaks——asthesteerbreaks——fromtheherdwheretheygraze,Inthefaithoflittlechildrenwewentonourways。

Thenthewoodfailed——thenthefoodfailed——thenthelastwaterdried——

Inthefaithoflittlechildrenwelaydownanddied。

Onthesand—drift——ontheveldt—side——inthefern—scrubwelay,Thatoursonsmightfollowafterbythebonesontheway。

Followafter——followafter!Wehavewateredtheroot,Andthebudhascometoblossomthatripensforfruit!

Followafter——wearewaiting,bythetrailsthatwelost,Forthesoundsofmanyfootsteps,forthetreadofahost。

Followafter——followafter——fortheharvestissown:

Bythebonesaboutthewaysideyeshallcometoyourown!

WhenDrakewentdowntotheHornAndEnglandwascrownedthereby,’TwixtseasunsailedandshoresunhailedOurLodge——ourLodgewasborn(AndEnglandwascrownedthereby!)

WhichnevershallcloseagainBydaynoryetbynight,WhilemanshalltakehislifetostakeAtriskofshoalormain(Bydaynoryetbynight)。

ButstandethevensoAsnowwewitnesshere,Whilemendepart,ofjoyfulheart,Adventurefortoknow(Asnowbearwitnesshere!)

II

WehavefedourseaforathousandyearsAndshecallsus,stillunfed,Thoughthere’sneverawaveofallherwavesButmarksourEnglishdead:

Wehavestrawedourbesttotheweed’sunrest,Tothesharkandthesheeringgull。

Ifbloodbethepriceofadmiralty,LordGod,weha’paidinfull!

There’sneverafloodgoesshorewardnowButliftsakeelwemanned;

There’sneveranebbgoesseawardnowButdropsourdeadonthesand——

Butslinksourdeadonthesandsforlore,FromtheDuciestotheSwin。

Ifbloodbethepriceofadmiralty,Ifbloodbethepriceofadmiralty,LordGod,weha’paiditin!

Wemustfeedourseaforathousandyears,Forthatisourdoomandpride,Asitwaswhentheysailedwiththe~GoldenHind~,Orthewreckthatstrucklasttide——

OrthewreckthatliesonthespoutingreefWheretheghastlyblue—lightsflare。

Ifbloodbethepriceofadmiralty,Ifbloodbethepriceofadmiralty,Ifbloodbethepriceofadmiralty,LordGod,weha’boughtitfair!

TheDeep—SeaCablesThewrecksdissolveaboveus;theirdustdropsdownfromafar——

Downtothedark,totheutterdark,wheretheblindwhitesea—snakesare。

Thereisnosound,noechoofsound,inthedesertsofthedeep,Orthegreatgraylevelplainsofoozewheretheshell—burredcablescreep。

Hereinthewomboftheworld——hereonthetie—ribsofearthWords,andthewordsofmen,flickerandflutterandbeat——

Warning,sorrowandgain,salutationandmirth——

ForaPowertroublestheStillthathasneithervoicenorfeet。

TheyhavewakenedthetimelessThings;theyhavekilledtheirfatherTime;

Joininghandsinthegloom,aleaguefromthelastofthesun。

Hush!Mentalkto—dayo’erthewasteoftheultimateslime,AndanewWordrunsbetween:whispering,\"Letusbeone!\"

TheSongoftheSonsOnefromtheendsoftheearth——giftsatanopendoor——

Treasonhasmuch,butwe,Mother,thysonshavemore!

Fromthewhineofadyingman,fromthesnarlofawolf—packfreed,Turn,andtheworldisthine。Mother,beproudofthyseed!

Count,arewefeebleorfew?Hear,isourspeechsorude?

Look,arewepoorintheland?Judge,arewemenofTheBlood?

Thosethathavestayedatthyknees,Mother,gocallthemin——

Wethatwerebredoverseaswaitandwouldspeakwithourkin。

Notinthedarkdowefight——haggleandfloutandgibe;

Sellingourloveforaprice,loaningourheartsforabribe。

Giftshaveweonlyto—day——Lovewithoutpromiseorfee——

Hear,forthychildrenspeak,fromtheuttermostpartsofthesea!

TheSongoftheCitiesBOMBAY

RoyalandDower—royal,ItheQueenFrontingthyrichestseawithricherhands——

AthousandmillsroarthroughmewhereIgleanAllracesfromalllands。

CALCUTTA

MetheSea—captainloved,theRiverbuilt,WealthsoughtandKingsadventuredlifetohold。

Hail,England!IamAsia——Poweronsilt,Deathinmyhands,butGold!

MADRAS

Clivekissedmeonthemouthandeyesandbrow,Wonderfulkisses,sothatIbecameCrownedaboveQueens——awitheredbeldamenow,Broodingonancientfame。

RANGOON

Hail,Mother!Dotheycallmerichintrade?

LittlecareI,butheartheshornpriestdrone,Andwatchmysilk—cladlovers,manbymaid,Laugh’neathmyShweDagon。

SINGAPORE

Hail,Mother!EastandWestmustseekmyaidErethespentgearmaydaretheportsafar。

Theseconddoorwayofthewideworld’stradeIsminetolooseorbar。

HONG—KONG

Hail,Mother!Holdmefast;myPrayasleepsUnderinnumerablekeelsto—day。

Yetguard(andlandward),orto—morrowsweepsThywar—shipsdownthebay!

HALIFAX

Intothemistmyguardianprowsputforth,Behindthemistmyvirginrampartslie,TheWardenoftheHonouroftheNorth,SleeplessandveiledamI!

QUEBECANDMONTREAL

Peaceisourportion。Yetawhisperrose,Foolishandcauseless,halfinjest,halfhate。

Nowwakeweandremembermightyblows,And,fearingnoman,wait!

VICTORIA

FromEasttoWestthecirclingwordhaspassed,TillWestisEastbesideourland—lockedblue;

FromEasttoWestthetestedchainholdsfast,Thewell—forgedlinkringstrue!

CAPETOWN

Hail!Snatchedandbarteredoftfromhandtohand,Idreammydream,byrockandheathandpine,OfEmpiretothenorthward。Ay,onelandFromLion’sHeadtoLine!

MELBOURNE

Greeting!Norfearnorfavourwonusplace,Gotbetweengreedofgoldanddreadofdrouth,Loud—voicedandrecklessasthewildtide—raceThatwhipsourharbour—mouth!

SYDNEY

Greeting!Mybirth—stainhaveIturnedtogood;

Forcingstrongwillsperversetosteadfastness:

Thefirstflushofthetropicsinmyblood,AndatmyfeetSuccess!

BRISBANE

Thenorthernstirpbeneaththesouthernskies——

IbuildaNationforanEmpire’sneed,Sufferalittle,andmylandshallrise,Queenoverlandsindeed!

HOBART

Man’slovefirstfoundme;man’shatemademeHell;

Formybabes’sakeIcleansedthoseinfamies。

Earnestforleavetoliveandlabourwell,Godflungmepeaceandease。

AUCKLAND

Last,loneliest,loveliest,exquisite,apart——

Onus,onustheunswervingseasonsmiles,Whowonder’midourfernwhymendepartToseektheHappyIsles!

England’sAnswerTrulyyecomeofTheBlood;slowertoblessthantoban;

Littleusedtoliedownatthebiddingofanyman。

FleshofthefleshthatIbred,boneofthebonethatIbare;

Starkasyoursonsshallbe——sternasyourfatherswere。

Deeperthanspeechourlove,strongerthanlifeourtether,Butwedonotfallonthenecknorkisswhenwecometogether。

Myarmisnothingweak,mystrengthisnotgoneby;

Sons,Ihavebornemanysons,butmydugsarenotdry。

Look,Ihavemadeyeaplaceandopenedwidethedoors,Thatyemaytalktogether,yourBaronsandCouncillors——

WardsoftheOuterMarch,LordsoftheLowerSeas,Ay,talktoyourgraymotherthatboreyouonherknees!——

Thatyemaytalktogether,brothertobrother’sface——

Thusforthegoodofyourpeoples——thusforthePrideoftheRace。

Also,wewillmakepromise。SolongasTheBloodendures,Ishallknowthatyourgoodismine:yeshallfeelthatmystrengthisyours:

InthedayofArmageddon,atthelastgreatfightofall,ThatOurHousestandtogetherandthepillarsdonotfall。

Drawnowthethreefoldknotfirmontheninefoldbands,AndtheLawthatyemakeshallbelawaftertheruleofyourlands。

ThisforthewaxenHeath,andthatfortheWattle—bloom,ThisfortheMaple—leaf,andthatforthesouthernBroom。

TheLawthatyemakeshallbelawandIdonotpressmywill,BecauseyeareSonsofTheBloodandcallmeMotherstill。

Nowmustyespeaktoyourkinsmenandtheymustspeaktoyou,AftertheuseoftheEnglish,instraight—flungwordsandfew。

Gotoyourworkandbestrong,haltingnotinyourways,Balkingtheendhalf—wonforaninstantdoleofpraise。

Standtoyourworkandbewise——certainofswordandpen,WhoareneitherchildrennorGods,butmeninaworldofmen!

THEFIRSTCHANTEY

Minewasthewomantome,darklingIfoundher;

Halingherdumbfromthecamp,tookherandboundher。

HotrosehertribeonourtrackereIhadprovedher;

Hearingherlaughinthegloom,greatlyIlovedher。

Swiftthroughtheforestweran;nonestoodtoguardus,Fewweremypeopleandfar;thenthefloodbarredus——

HimwecallSonoftheSea,sullenandswollen。

Pantingwewaitedthedeath,stealerandstolen。

Yeteretheycametomylancelaidfortheslaughter,Lightlysheleapedtoaloglappedinthewater;

Holdingonhighandapartskinsthatarrayedher,CalledshetheGodoftheWindthatHeshouldaidher。

Lifehadthetreeatthatword(PraisewetheGiver!)

Otter—likelefthethebankforthefullriver。

Farfelltheiraxesbehind,flashingandringing,Wonderwasonmeandfear——yetshewassinging!

Lowlaythelandwehadleft。Nowtheblueboundus,EventheFlooroftheGodslevelaroundus。

Whispertherewasnot,norword,shadownorshowing,Tillthelightstirredonthedeep,glowingandgrowing。

ThendidHeleaptoHisplaceflaringfromunder,HetheCompeller,theSun,baredtoourwonder。

Nay,notaleaguefromoureyesblindedwithgazing,ClearedHethegateoftheworld,hugeandamazing!

Thiswebeheld(andwelive)——thePitoftheBurning!

ThentheGodspoketothetreeforourreturning;

Backtothebeachofourflight,fearlessandslowly,Backtoourslayerswenthe:butwewereholy。

Menthatwerehotinthathunt,womenthatfollowed,Babesthatwerepromisedourbones,trembledandwallowed:

OverthenecksoftheTribecrouchingandfawning——

Prophetandpriestesswecamebackfromthedawning!

THELASTCHANTEY

\"~Andtherewasnomoresea。~\"

ThussaidTheLordintheVaultabovetheCherubimCallingtotheAngelsandtheSoulsintheirdegree:

\"Lo!EarthhaspassedawayOnthesmokeofJudgmentDay。

ThatOurwordmaybeestablishedshallWegatherupthesea?\"

Loudsangthesoulsofthejolly,jollymariners:

\"Plagueuponthehurricanethatmadeusfurlandflee!

Butthewarisdonebetweenus,InthedeeptheLordhathseenus——

Ourboneswe’llleavethebarracout’,andGodmaysinkthesea!\"

ThensaidthesoulofJudasthatbetray]\\edHim:

\"Lord,hastThouforgottenThycovenantwithme?

HowonceayearIgoTocoolmeonthefloe?

AndYetakemydayofmercyifYetakeawaythesea!\"

ThensaidthesouloftheAngeloftheOff—shoreWind:

(Hethatbitsthethunderwhenthebull—mouthedbreakersflee):

\"IhavewatchandwardtokeepO’erThywondersonthedeep,AndYetakeminehonourfrommeifYetakeawaythesea!\"

Loudsangthesoulsofthejolly,jollymariners:

\"Nay,butwewereangry,andahastyfolkarewe!

IfweworkedtheshiptogetherTillshefounderedinfoulweather,Arewebabesthatweshouldclamourforavengeanceonthesea?\"

Thensaidthesoulsoftheslavesthatmenthrewoverboard:

\"Kennelledinthepicaroonawearybandwerewe;

ButThyarmwasstrongtosave,Andittouchedusonthewave,AndwedrowsedthelongtidesidletillThyTrumpetstorethesea。\"

ThencriedthesoulofthestoutApostlePaultoGod:

\"Oncewefrappedaship,andshelabouredwoundily。

Therewerefourteenscoreofthese,AndtheyblessedTheeontheirknees,WhentheylearnedThyGraceandGloryunderMaltabythesea!\"

Loudsangthesoulsofthejolly,jollymariners,Pluckingattheirharps,andtheypluckedunhandily:

\"Ourthumbsareroughandtarred,Andthetuneissomethinghard——

MayweliftaDeep—seaChanteysuchasseamenuseatsea?\"

Thensaidthesoulsofthegentlemen—adventurers——

Fetteredwristtobarallforrediniquity:

\"Ho,werevelinourchainsO’erthesorrowthatwasSpain’s;

Heaveorsinkit,leaveordrinkit,weweremastersofthesea!\"

UpspakethesoulofagrayGothavn’speckshioner——

(HethatledtheflinchinginthefleetsoffairDundee):

\"Oh,theice—blinkwhiteandnear,Andthebowheadbreachingclear!

WillYewhelmthemallforwantonnessthatwallowinthesea?\"

Loudsangthesoulsofthejolly,jollymariners,Crying:\"UnderHeaven,hereisneitherleadnorlee!

MustwesingforevermoreOnthewindless,glassyfloor?

Takebackyourgoldenfiddlesandwe’llbeattoopensea!\"

ThenstoopedtheLord,andHecalledthegoodseauptoHim,And’stablishedhisbordersuntoalleternity,ThatsuchashavenopleasureFortopraisetheLordbymeasure,TheymayenterintogalleonsandserveHimonthesea。

Sun,wind,andcloudshallfailnotfromthefaceofit,Stinging,ringingspindrift,northefulmarflyingfree;

AndtheshipsshallgoabroadTotheGloryoftheLordWhoheardthesillysailor—folkandgavethembacktheirsea!

THEMERCHANTMEN

KingSolomondrewmerchantmen,BecauseofhisdesireForpeacocks,apes,andivory,FromTarshishuntoTyre:

WithcedarsoutofLebanonWhichHiramrafteddown,ButwebeonlysailormenThatuseinLondonTown。

Coastwise——cross—seas——roundtheworldandbackagain——

WheretheflawshallheadusorthefullTradesuits——

Plain—sail——storm—sail——layyourboardandtackagain——

Andthat’sthewaywe’llpayPaddyDoyleforhisboots!

Webringnostoreofingots,Ofspiceorpreciousstones,ButthatwehavewegatheredWithsweatandachingbones:

Inflamebeneaththetropics,Infrostuponthefloe,AndjeopardyofeverywindThatdoesbetweenthemgo。

Andsomewegotbypurchase,Andsomewehadbytrade,AndsomewefoundbycourtesyOfpikeandcarronade——

Atmidnight,’mid—seameetings,Forcharitytokeep,Andlighttherollinghomeward—boundThatrodeafoottoodeep。

BysportofbitterweatherWe’rewalty,strained,andscarredFromthekentledgeonthekelsonTotheslingsupontheyard。

SixoceanshadtheirwillofusTocarryallaway——

Ourgalley’sintheBaltic,Andourboom’sinMosselBay!

We’veflounderedofftheTexel,Awashwithsoddendeals,We’veslippedfromValparaisoWiththeNortheratourheels:

We’veratchedbeyondtheCrossetsThattusktheSouthernPole,AnddippedourgunnelsunderTothedreadAgulhasroll。

BeyondallouterchartingWesailedwherenonehavesailed,Andsawtheland—lightsburningOnislandsnonehavehailed;

Ourhairstoodupforwonder,But,whenthenightwasdone,TheredancedthedeeptowindwardBlue—empty’neaththesun!

StrangeconsortsrodebesideusAndbroughtusevilluck;

Thewitch—fireclimbedourchannels,Andflaredonvaneandtruck:

Till,throughtheredtornado,Thatlashedusnightoblind,WesawTheDutchmanplunging,Fullcanvas,headtowind!

We’veheardtheMidnightLeadsmanThatcallstheblackdeepdown——

Ay,thricewe’veheardTheSwimmer,TheThingthatmaynotdrown。

OnfrozenbuntandgasketThesleet—clouddraveherhosts,When,mannedbymorethansignedwithus,WepassedtheIsleo’Ghosts!

Andnorth,amidthehummocks,Abiscuit—tossbelow,WemetthesilentshallopThatfrightedwhalersknow;

For,downacruelice—lane,Thatopenedashesped,WesawdeadHenryHudsonSteer,NorthbyWest,hisdead。

SodealtGod’swaterswithusBeneaththeroaringskies,SowalkedHissignsandmarvelsAllnakedtooureyes:

ButwewereheadinghomewardWithtradetoloseormake——

GoodLord,theyslippedbehindusInthetailingofourwake!

Letgo,letgotheanchors;

NowshamedatheartareweTobringsopooracargohomeThathadforgiftthesea!

Letgothegreatbow—anchors——

Ah,foolswereweandblind——

Theworstwestoredwithuttertoil,Thebestweleftbehind!

Coastwise——cross—seas——roundtheworldandbackagain,WhitherflawshallfailusortheTradesdrivedown:

Plain—sail——storm—sail——layyourboardandtackagain——

AndalltobringacargouptoLondonTown!

M’ANDREW’SHYMN

Lord,Thouhastmadethisworldbelowtheshadowofadream,An’,taughtbytime,Itak’itso——exceptin’alwaysSteam。

Fromcoupler—flangetospindle—guideIseeThyHand,OGod——

Predestinationinthestrideo’yonconnectin’—rod。

JohnCalvinmightha’forgedthesame——enorrmous,certain,slow——

Ay,wroughtitinthefurnace—flame——~my~\"Institutio\"。

Icannotgetmysleepto—night;oldbonesarehardtoplease;

I’llstandthemiddlewatchuphere——alonewi’Godan’theseMyengines,afterninetydayso’racean’rackan’strainThroughalltheseasofallThyworld,slam—bangin’homeagain。

Slam—bangtoomuch——theyknockawee——thecrosshead—gibsareloose;

Butthirtythousandmileo’seahasgiedthemfairexcuse……

Fine,clearan’dark——afull—draughtbreeze,wi’Ushantouto’sight,An’Fergusonrelievin’Hay。Oldgirl,ye’llwalkto—night!

Hiswife’satPlymouth……Seventy——

One——Two——Threesincehebegan——

ThreeturnsforMistressFerguson……andwho’stoblametheman?

There’snoneatanyportforme,bydrivin’fastorslow,SinceElsieCampbellwenttoThee,Lord,thirtyyearsago。

(Theyearthe~SarahSands~wasburned。Ohroadsweusedtotread,Fra’MaryhilltoPollokshaws——fra’GovantoParkhead!)

Notbutthey’receevilontheBoard。Ye’llhearSirKennethsay:

\"Good—morrn,M’Andrew!Backagain?An’how’syourbilgeto—day?\"

Miscallin’technicalitiesbuthandin’memychairTodrinkMadeirawi’threeEarls——theauldFleetEngineer,Thatstartedasaboiler—whelp——whensteamandhewerelow。

Imindthetimeweusedtoserveabrokenpipewi’tow。

Tenpoundwasallthepressurethen——Eh!Eh!——amanwaddrive;

An’here,ourworkin’gaugesgiveonehunderfifty—five!

We’recreepin’onwi’eachnewrig——lessweightan’largerpower:

There’llbetheloco—boilernextan’thirtyknotsanhour!

Thirtyan’more。WhatIha’seensinceocean—steambeganLeavesmenodootforthemachine:butwhatabouttheman?

Themanthatcounts,wi’allhisruns,onemillionmileo’sea:

Fourtimethespanfromearthtomoon……Howfar,OLord,fromThee?

Thatwastbesidehimnightan’day。Yemindmyfirsttyphoon?

Itscoughedtheskipperonhiswaytojockwi’thesaloon。

Threefeetwereonthestokehold—floor——justslappin’toan’fro——

An’castmeonafurnace—door。Ihavethemarkstoshow。

Marks!Iha’markso’morethanburns——deepinmysoulan’black,An’timeslikethis,whenthingsgosmooth,mywickudnesscomesback。

Thesinso’fourandfortyyears,allupan’downtheseas,Clackan’repeatlikevalveshalf—fed……Forgie’sourtrespasses。

NightswhenI’dcomeondecktomark,wi’envyinmygaze,Thecoupleskittlin’inthedarkbetweenthefunnelstays;

YearswhenIrakedtheportswi’pridetofillmycupo’wrong——

Judgenot,OLord,mystepsasideatGayStreetinHong—Kong!

BlotoutthewastrelhoursofmineinsinwhenIabode——

JaneHarrigan’san’NumberNine,TheReddickan’GrantRoad!

An’waurthanall——mycrownin’sin——rankblasphemyan’wild。

Iwasnotfourandtwentythen——Yewadnajudgeachild?

I’dseentheTropicsfirstthatrun——newfruit,newsmells,newair——

HowcouldItell——blind—fouwi’sun——theDeilwaslurkin’there?

Bydaylikeplayhouse—scenestheshoreslidpastoursleepyeyes;

Bynightthosesoft,lasceeviousstarsleeredfromthosevelvetskies,Inport(weusednocargo—steam)I’ddaunderdownthestreets——

Anijjitgrinnin’inadream——forshellsan’parrakeets,An’walkin’—stickso’carvedbambooan’blowfishstuffedan’dried——

Fillin’mybunkwi’rubbishrytheChiefputoverside。

Till,offSambawaHead,Yemind,Iheardaland—breezeca’,Milk—warmwi’breatho’spicean’bloom:\"M’Andrew,comeawa’!\"

Firm,clearan’low——nohaste,nohate——theghostlywhisperwent,Juststatin’eevidentialfactsbeyon’allargument:

\"Yourmither’sGod’sagraspin’deil,theshadowo’yoursel’,Gotouto’booksbymeenisterscleandaftonHeavenan’Hell。

Theymak’HimintheBroomielaw,o’Glasgiecoldan’dirt,Ajealous,pridefu’fetich,lad,that’sonlystrongtohurt,Ye’llnotgobacktoHimagainan’kissHisred—hotrod,Butcomewi’Us\"(Now,whowere~They~?)\"an’knowtheLeevin’God,Thatdoesnotkippersoulsforsportorbreakalifeinjest,Butswellstheripenin’cocoanutsan’ripesthewoman’sbreast。\"

An’thereitstopped:cutoff:nomore;thatquiet,certainvoice——

Forme,sixmonthso’twenty—four,toleaveortakeatchoice。

’Twasonmelikeathunderclap——itrackedmethroughan’through——

Temptationpasttheshowo’speech,unnameablean’new——

TheSinagainsttheHolyGhost?……An’underall,ourscrew。

Thatstormblewbybutleftbehindheranchor—shiftin’swell,Thouknowestallmyheartan’mind,Thouknowest,Lord,Ifell。

Thirdonthe~MaryGloster~then,andfirstthatnightinHell!

YetwasThyhandbeneathmyhead,aboutmyfeetThycare——

Fra’DelicleartoTorresStrait,thetrialo’despair,ButwhenwetouchedtheBarrierReefThyanswertomyprayer!

Wedarednotrunthatseabynightbutlayan’heldourfire,An’Iwasdrowsin’onthehatch——sick——sickwi’doubtan’tire:

\"~Betterthesightofeyesthatseethanwanderin’o’desire!~\"

Yemindthatword?Clearasourgongs——again,an’onceagain,Whenrippin’downthroughcoral—trashranoutourmoorin’—chain;

An’byThyGraceIhadtheLighttoseemydutyplain。

Lightontheengine—room——nomore——brightasourcarbonsburn。

I’velostitsinceathousandtimes,butneverpastreturn……

Obsairve。Perannumwe’llhaveheretwothousandsoulsaboard——

ThinknotIdaretojustifymyselfbeforetheLord,But——averagefifteenhundersoulssafe—bornefra’porttoport——

I~am~o’servicetomykind。Yewadnablamethethought?

Maybetheysteamfromgracetowrath——tosinbyfollyled,——

Itisnaminetojudgetheirpath——theirlivesareonmyhead。

Mineatthelast——whenallisdoneitallcomesbacktome,Thefaultthatleavessixthousandtonaloguponthesea。

We’lltak’onestretch——threeweeksan’oddbyanyroadyesteer——

Fra’CapeTowneasttoWellington——yeneedanengineer。

Failthere——ye’vetimetoweldyourshaft——ay,eatit,ereye’respoke;

OrmakeKerguelenundersail——threejiggersburnedwi’smoke!

An’homeagain,theRiorun:it’snochild’splaytogoSteamin’tobellforfourteendayso’snowan’floean’blow——

Thebergslikekelpiesoversidethatgirnan’turnan’shiftWhaur,grindin’liketheMillso’God,goesbythebigSouthdrift。

(Hail,snowan’icethatpraisetheLord:I’vemetthemattheirwork,An’wishedwehadanitherrouteortheyanitherkirk。)

Yon’sstrain,hardstrain,o’headan’hand,forthoughThyPowerbringsAllskilltonaught,Ye’llunderstandamanmustthinko’things。

Then,atthelast,we’llgettoportan’hoisttheirbaggageclear——

Thepassengers,wi’glovesan’canes——an’thisiswhatI’llhear:

\"Well,thankyeforapleasantvoyage。Thetender’scomin’now。\"

WhileIgotestin’follower—boltsan’watchtheskipperbow。

They’vewordsforeveryonebutme——shakehandswi’halfthecrew,ExceptthedourScotsengineer,themantheyneverknew。

An’yetIlikethewarkforallwe’vedam’fewpickin’shere——

Nopension,an’themostweearn’sfourhunderpoundayear。

Bettermyselfabroad?Maybe。~I’d~soonerstarvethansailWi’suchascallasnifter—rod~ross~……Frenchfornightingale。

Commeesiononmystores?Somedo;butIcannotaffordTolielikestewardswi’patty—pans——。I’molderthantheBoard。

AbonusonthecoalIsave?Ouay,theScotsareclose,ButwhenIgrudgethestrengthYegaveI’llgrudgetheirfoodto~those~。

(There’sbricksthatImightrecommend——an’clinkthefire—barscruel。

No!Welsh——Wangartiattheworst——an’damnallpatentfuel!)

Inventions?Yemuststayinporttomak’apatentpay。

MyDeeferentialValve—Geartaughtmehowthatbusinesslay,Iblamenochapswi’clearerheadforaughttheymakeorsell。

~I~foundthatIcouldnotinventan’looktothese——aswell。

So,wrestledwi’Apollyon——Nah!——frettedlikeabairn——

Butburnedtheworkin’—planslastrunwi’allIhopedtoearn。

YeknowhowhardanIdoldies,an’whatthatmeanttome——

E’entak’itforasacrificeacceptabletoThee……

~Belowthere!Oiler!What’syourwark?Yefinditrunnin’hard?

Yeneedn’tswillthecapwi’oil——thisisn’ttheCunard!

Yethought?Yearenotpaidtothink。Go,sweatthatoffagain!~

Tck!Tck!It’sdeeficulttosweernortak’TheNameinvain!

Men,ayan’women,callmestern。Wi’thesetooverseeYe’llnoteI’velittletimetoburnonsocialrepartee。

Thebairnsseewhattheireldersmiss;they’llhuntmetoan’fro,Tillforthesakeof——well,akiss——Itak’’emdownbelow。

ThatmindsmeofourViscountloon——SirKenneth’skin——thechapWi’Russialeathertennis—shoonan’spar—deckedyachtin’—cap。

Ishowedhimroundlastweek,o’erall——an’atthelastsayshe:

\"MisterM’Andrew,don’tyouthinksteamspoilsromanceatsea?\"

Damnedijjit!I’dbeendoonthatmorntoseewhatailedthethrows,Manholin’,onmyback——thecranksthreeinchesoffmynose。

Romance!Thosefirst—classpassengerstheylikeitverywell,Printedan’boundinlittlebooks;butwhydon’tpoetstell?

I’msickofalltheirquirksan’turns——thelovesan’dovestheydream——

Lord,sendamanlikeRobbieBurnstosingtheSongo’Steam!

Tomatchwi’Scotia’snoblestspeechyonorchestrasublimeWhaurto——upliftedliketheJust——thetail—rodsmarkthetime。

Thecrank—throwsgivethedouble—bass,thefeed—pumpsobsan’heaves,An’nowthemaineccentricsstarttheirquarrelonthesheaves:

Hertime,herownappointedtime,therockinglink—headbides,Till——hearthatnote?——therod’sreturnwhingsglimmerin’throughtheguides。

They’reallawa’!Truebeat,fullpower,theclangin’chorusgoesCleartothetunnelwheretheysit,mypurrin’dynamos。

Interdependenceabsolute,foreseen,ordained,decreed,Towork,Ye’llnote,atanytiltan’everyrateo’speed。

Fra’skylight—lifttofurnace—bars,backed,bolted,bracedan’stayed,An’singin’liketheMornin’Starsforjoythattheyaremade;

While,outo’toucho’vanity,thesweatin’thrust—blocksays:

\"Notuntousthepraise,orman——notuntousthepraise!\"

Now,a’together,hearthemlifttheirlesson——theirsan’mine:

\"Law,Orrder,Dutyan’Restraint,Obedience,Discipline!\"

Mill,forgean’try—pittaughtthemthatwhenroarin’theyarose,An’whilesIwonderifasoulwasgiedthemwi’theblows。

Ohforamantowelditthen,inonetrip—hammerstrain,Tillevenfirst—classpassengerscouldtellthemeanin’plain!

Butnoonecaresexceptmysel’thatservean’understandMyseventhousandhorse—powerhere。

Eh,Lord!They’regrand——they’regrand!

UpliftamI?Whenfirstinstorethenew—madebeastiesstood,WereYecastdownthatbreathedtheWorddeclarin’allthingsgood?

Notso!O’thatwarld—liftin’joynoafter—fallcouldvex,Ye’veleftaglimmerstilltocheertheMan——theArrtifex!

~That~holds,inspiteo’knockandscale,o’friction,wastean’slip,An’bythatlight——now,markmyword——we’llbuildthePerfectShip。

I’llneverlasttojudgeherlinesortakehercurve——notI。

ButIha’livedan’Iha’worked。’BethankstoThee,MostHigh!

An’Iha’donewhatIha’done——judgeThouifillorwell——

AlwaysThyGracepreventin’me……

Losh!Yon’sthe\"Standby\"bell。

Pilotsosoon?Hisflareitis。Themornin’—watchisset。

Well,Godbethanked,asIwassayin’,I’mnoPelagianyet。

NowI’lltak’on……

~’Morrn,Ferguson。Man,haveyeeverthoughtWhatyourgoodleddycostsincoal?……I’llburn’emdowntoport。~

THEMIRACLES

Isentamessagetomydear——

AthousandleaguesandmoretoHer——

Thedumbsea—levelsthrilledtohear,AndLostAtlantisboretoHer。

BehindmymessagehardIcame,Andnighhadfoundagraveforme;

ButthatIlaunchedofsteelandflameDidwaragainstthewaveforme。

Uprosethedeep,bygaleongale,Tobidmechangemymindagain——

Hebrokehisteethalongmyrail,And,roaring,swungbehindagain。

IstayedthesunatnoontotellMywayacrossthewasteofit;

IreadthestormbeforeitfellAndmadethebetterhasteofit。

Afar,Ihailedthelandatnight——

ThetowersIbuilthadheardofme——

And,eremyrocketreacheditsheight,HadflashedmyLovethewordofme。

Earthsoldherchosenmenofstrength(Theylivedandstroveanddiedforme)

Todrivemyroadanation’slength,Andtossthemilesasideforme。

Isnatchedtheirtoiltoservemyneeds——

Tooslowtheirfleetestflewforme——

Itiredtwentysmokingsteeds,Andbadethembaitanewforme。

IsentthelightningsforthtoseeWherehourbyhourShewaitedme。

AmongtenmilliononewasShe,Andsurelyallmenhatedme!

Dawnrantomeetmeatmygoal——

Ah,daynotongueshalltellagain!

AndlittlefolkoflittlesoulRoseuptobuyandsellagain!

THENATIVE—BORN

We’vedrunktotheQueen——Godblessher!——

We’vedrunktoourmothers’land;

We’vedrunktoourEnglishbrother(Buthedoesnotunderstand);

We’vedrunktothewidecreation,AndtheCrossswingslowforthemorn;

Lasttoast,andofobligation,AhealthtotheNative—born!

Theychangetheirskiesabovethem,Butnottheirheartsthatroam!

WelearnedfromourwistfulmothersTocalloldEngland\"home\";

WereadoftheEnglishskylark,OfthespringintheEnglishlanes,ButwescreamedwiththepaintedloriesAswerodeonthedustyplains!

Theypassedwiththeirold—worldlegends——

Theirtalesofwronganddearth——

Ourfathersheldbypurchase,Butwebytherightofbirth;

Ourheart’swheretheyrockedourcradle,Ourlovewherewespentourtoil,AndourfaithandourhopeandourhonourWepledgetoournativesoil!

Ichargeyouchargeyourglasses——

IchargeyoudrinkwithmeTothemenoftheFourNewNations,AndtheIslandsoftheSea——

TothelastleastlumpofcoralThatnonemaystandoutside,AndourowngoodprideshallteachusTopraiseourcomrade’spride!

TothehushofthebreathlessmorningOnthethin,tin,cracklingroofs,Tothehazeoftheburnedback—rangesAndthedustoftheshoelesshoofs——

Totheriskofadeathbydrowning,Totheriskofadeathbydrouth——

Tothemenofamillionacres,TotheSonsoftheGoldenSouth!

TotheSonsoftheGoldenSouth(Standup!),Andthelifeweliveandknow,Letafellowsingo’thelittlethingshecaresabout,IfafellowfightsforthelittlethingshecaresaboutWiththeweightofasingleblow!

Tothesmokeofahundredcoasters,Tothesheeponathousandhills,Tothesunthatneverblisters,Totherainthatneverchills——

Tothelandofthewaitingspring—time,Toourfive—meal,meat—fedmen,Tothetall,deep—bosomedwomen,Andthechildrennineandten!

Andthechildrennineandten(Standup!),Andthelifeweliveandknow,Letafellowsingo’thelittlethingshecaresabout,IfafellowfightsforthelittlethingshecaresaboutWiththeweightofatwo—foldblow!

Tothefar—flungfencelessprairieWherethequickcloud—shadowstrail,Toourneighbour’sbarnintheoffingAndthelineofthenew—cutrail;

Totheploughinherleague—longfurrowWiththegrayLakegullsbehind——

Totheweightofahalf—year’swinterAndthewarmwetwesternwind!

Tothehomeofthefloodsandthunder,Toherpaledryhealingblue——

TotheliftofthegreatCapecombers,AndthesmellofthebakedKarroo。

Tothegrowlofthesluicingstamp—head——

Tothereefandthewater—gold,TothelastandthelargestEmpire,Tothemapthatishalfunrolled!

Toourdeardarkfoster—mothers,Totheheathensongstheysung——

TotheheathenspeechwebabbledErewecametothewhiteman’stongue。

Tothecoolofourdeepverandas——

Totheblazeofourjewelledmain,Tothenight,tothepalmsinthemoonlight,Andthefire—flyinthecane!

Tothehearthofourpeople’speople——

Toherwell—ploughedwindysea,Tothehushofourdreadhigh—altarWhereTheAbbeymakesusWe;

Tothegristoftheslow—groundages,Tothegainthatisyoursandmine——

TotheBankoftheOpenCredit,TothePower—houseoftheLine!

We’vedrunktotheQueen——Godblessher!——

We’vedrunktoourmothers’land;

We’vedrunktoourEnglishbrother(Andwehopehe’llunderstand)。

We’vedrunkasmuchaswe’reable,AndtheCrossswingslowforthemorn;

Lasttoast——andyourfootonthetable!——

AhealthtotheNative—born!

AhealthtotheNative—born(Standup!),We’resixwhitemenarow,Allboundtosingo’thelittlethingswecareabout,AllboundtofightforthelittlethingswecareaboutWiththeweightofasix—foldblow!

Bythemightofourcable—tow(Takehands!),FromtheOrkneystotheHorn,Allroundtheworld(andalittlelooptopullitby),Allroundtheworld(andalittlestraptobuckleit),AhealthtotheNative—born!

THEKING

\"Farewell,Romance!\"theCave—mensaid;

\"Withbonewellcarvedhewentaway,Flintarmstheignoblearrowhead,Andjaspertipsthespearto—day。

ChangedaretheGodsofHuntandDance,Andhewiththese。Farewell,Romance!\"

\"Farewell,Romance!\"theLake—folksighed;

\"Welifttheweightofflatlingyears;

Thecavernsofthemountain—sideHoldhimwhoscornsourhuttedpiers。

Losthillswherebywedarenotdwell,Guardyehisrest。Romance,farewell!\"

\"Farewell,Romance!\"theSoldierspoke;

\"Bysleightofswordwemaynotwin,Butscuffle’miduncleanlysmokeOfarquebusandculverin。

Honourislost,andnonemaytellWhopaidgoodblows。Romance,farewell!\"

\"Farewell,Romance!\"theTraderscried;

Ourkeelsha’lainwitheverysea;

Thedull—returningwindandtideHeaveupthewharfwherewewouldbe;

TheknownandnotedbreezesswellOurtrudgingsail。Romance,farewell!\"

\"Good—bye,Romance!\"theSkippersaid;

\"Hevanishedwiththecoalweburn;

Ourdialmarksfullsteamahead,Ourspeedistimedtohalfaturn。

Sureastheferriedbargeweply’Twixtportandport。Romance,good—bye!\"

\"Romance!\"theseason—ticketsmourn,\"~He~neverrantocatchhistrain,Butpassedwithcoachandguardandhorn——

Andleftthelocal——lateagain!\"

ConfoundRomance!……AndallunseenRomancebroughtupthenine—fifteen。

Hishandwasontheleverlaid,Hisoil—cansoothedtheworryingcranks,Hiswhistlewakedthesnowboundgrade,Hisfog—horncutthereekingBanks;

BydockanddeepandmineandmillTheBoy—godrecklesslabouredstill!

Robed,crownedandthroned,hewovehisspell,Whereheart—bloodbeatorhearth—smokecurled,Withunconsideredmiracle,Hedgedinabackward—gazingworld;

Thentaughthischosenbardtosay:

\"OurKingwaswithus——yesterday!\"

THERHYMEOFTHETHREESEALERS

AwaybythelandsoftheJapaneeWherethepaperlanternsglowAndthecrewsofalltheshippingdrinkInthehouseofBloodStreetJoe,Attwilight,whenthelandwardbreezeBringsuptheharbournoise,AndebbofYokohamaBaySwigschatteringthroughthebuoys,InCisco’sDewdropDining—RoomsTheytellthetaleanewOfahiddenseaandahiddenfight,Whenthe~Baltic~ranfromthe~NorthernLight~

Andthe~Stralsund~foughtthetwo。

NowthisistheLawoftheMuscovite,thatheproveswithshotandsteel,WhenyecomebyhisislesintheSmokySeayemustnottaketheseal,Wherethegrayseagoesnakedlybetweentheweed—hungshelves,Andthelittlebluefoxheisbredforhisskinandthesealtheybreedforthemselves;

Forwhenthe~matkas~seektheshoretodroptheirpupsaland,Thegreatman—sealhauloutofthesea,a—roaring,bandbyband;

AndwhenthefirstSeptembergaleshaveslakedtheirrutting—wrath,Thegreatman—sealhaulbacktotheseaandnomanknowstheirpath。

Thendarktheylieandstarktheylie——rookery,dune,andfloe,AndtheNorthernLightscomedowno’nightstodancewiththehouselesssnow;

AndGodWhoclearsthegroundingbergandsteersthegrindingfloe,Hehearsthecryofthelittlekit—foxandthewindalongthesnow。

Butsinceourwomenmustwalkgayandmoneybuystheirgear,Thesealing—boatstheyfilchthatwayathazardyearbyyear。

EnglishtheybeandJapaneethathangontheBrownBear’sflank,AndsomebeScot,buttheworstofthelot,andtheboldestthieves,beYank!

Itwasthesealer~NorthernLight~,totheSmokySeasshebore,WithastovepipestuckfromastarboardportandtheRussianflagatherfore。

(~Baltic~,~Stralsund~,and~NorthernLight~——

oh!theywerebirdsofafeather——

SlippingawaytotheSmokySeas,threeseal—thievestogether!)

AndatlastshecametoasandycoveandtheBalticlaytherein,Buthermenwereupwiththeherdingsealtodriveandclubandskin。

Therewerefifteenhundredskinsabeach,coolpeltandproperfur,Whenthe~NorthernLight~droveintothebightandthesea—mistdrovewithher。

The~Baltic~calledhermenandweighed——shecouldnotchoosebutrun——

Forastovepipeseenthroughtheclosingmist,itshowslikeafour—inchgun。

(AndlossitisthatissadasdeathtolosebothtripandshipAndlieforarottingcontrabandonVladivostockslip。)

Sheturnedanddivedinthesea—smotherasarabbitdivesinthewhins,Andthe~NorthernLight~sentupherboatstostealthestolenskins。

Theyhadnotbroughtaloadtosideorslidtheirhatchesclear,Whentheywereawareofasloop—of—war,ghost—whiteandverynear。

Herflagsheshowed,andhergunssheshowed——threeofthem,black,abeam,Andafunnelwhitewiththecrustedsalt,butneverashowofsteam。

Therewasnotimetomanthebrakes,theyknockedtheshacklefree,Andthe~NorthernLight~stoodoutagain,goose—wingedtoopensea。

(Forlifeitisthatisworsethandeath,byforceofRussianlawToworkintheminesofmercurythatloosetheteethinyourjaw。)

Theyhadnotrunamilefromshore——theyheardnoshotsbehind——

Whentheskippersmotehishandonhisthighandthrewherupinthewind:

\"Bluffed——raisedoutonabluff,\"saidhe,\"forifmyname’sTomHall,Youmustsetathieftocatchathief——andathiefhascaughtusall!

ByeverybuttinOregonandeverysparinMaine,ThehandthatspilledthewindfromhersailwasthehandofReubenPaine!

Hehasriggedandtriggedherwithpaintandspar,and,faith,hehasfakedherwell——

ButI’dknowthe~Stralsund~’sdeckhouseyetfromheretotheboomso’Hell。

Oh,onceweha’metatBaltimore,andtwiceonBostonpier,Butthesickestdayforyou,ReubenPaine,wasthedaythatyoucamehere——

Thedaythatyoucamehere,mylad,toscareusfromoursealWithyourfunnelmadeo’yourpaintedcloth,andyourgunso’rottendeal!

Ringandblowforthe~Baltic~now,andheadherbacktothebay,Andwe’llcomeintothegameagain——withadoubledecktoplay!\"

Theyrangandblewthesealers’call——thepoachingcryofthesea——

Andtheyraisedthe~Baltic~outofthemist,andanangryshipwasshe:

Andblindtheygropedthroughthewhirlingwhiteandblindtothebayagain,Tilltheyheardthecreakofthe~Stralsund~’sboomandtheclankofhermooringchain。

Theylaidthemdownbybittandboat,theirpistolsintheirbelts,And:\"Willyoufightforit,ReubenPaine,orwillyousharethepelts?\"

Adog—toothedlaughlaughedReubenPaine,andbaredhisflenching—knife。

\"Yea,skinforskin,andallthathehathamanwillgiveforhislife;

ButI’vesixthousandskinsbelow,andYeddoPorttosee,Andthere’sneveralawofGodormanrunsnorthofFifty—Three:

Sogoinpeacetothenakedseaswithemptyholdstofill,AndI’llbegoodtoyoursealthiscatch,asmanyasIshallkill!\"

Answeredthesnapofaclosinglockandthejarofagun—buttslid,Butthetenderfogshutfoldonfoldtohidethewrongtheydid。

Theweepingfogrolledfoldonfoldthewrathofmantocloak,Andtheflame—spurtspalerandowntherailasthesealing—riflesspoke。

Thebulletsbitonbendandbutt,thesplintersliveredfree(Littletheytrusttosparrow—dustthatstopthesealinhissea!),Thethicksmokehungandwouldnotshift,leadenitlayandblue,Butthreeweredownonthe~Baltic~’sdeckandtwoofthe~Stralsund~’screw。

Anarm’s—lengthoutandoversidethebankedfogheldthembound,But,astheyheardorgroanorword,theyfiredatthesound。

ForonecriedoutontheNameofGod,andonetohavehimcease,Andthequestingvolleyfoundthembothandbadethemholdtheirpeace;

AndonecalledoutonaheathenjossandoneontheVirgin’sName,Andtheschoolingbulletleapedacrossandshowedthemwhencetheycame。

Andinthewaitingsilencestherudderwhinedbeneath,Andeachmandrewhiswatchfulbreathslowtaken’tweentheteeth——

Triggerandearandeyeacock,knitbrowandhard—drawnlips——

Bracinghisfeetbychockandcleatfortherollingoftheships。

Tilltheyheardthecoughofawoundedmanthatfoughtinthefogforbreath,TilltheyheardthetormentofReubenPainethatwaileduponhisdeath:

\"Thetidesthey’llgothroughFundyRacebutI’llgonevermoreAndseethehogsfromebb—tidemarkturnscamperingbacktoshore。

NomoreI’llseethetrawlersdriftbelowtheBassRockground,OrwatchthetallFallsteamerlightstearblazinguptheSound。

Sorrowisme,inalonelyseaandasinfulfightIfall,Butifthere’slawo’Godormanyou’llswingforityet,TomHall!\"

TomHallstoodupbythequarter—rail。\"Yourwordsinyourteeth,\"saidhe。

\"There’sneveralawofGodormanrunsnorthofFifty—Three。

SogoingracewithHimtoface,andanill—spentlifebehind,AndI’llbegoodtoyourwidows,Rube,asmanyasIshallfind。\"

A~Stralsund~manshotblindandlarge,andawar—lockFinnwashe,AndhehitTomHallwithaburstingballahand’s—breadthovertheknee。

TomHallcaughtholdbythetopping—lift,andsathimdownwithanoath,\"You’llwaitalittle,Rube,\"hesaid,\"theDevilhascalledforboth。

TheDevilisdrivingboththistide,andthekilling—groundsareclose,Andwe’llgouptotheWrathofGodastheholluschickiegoes。

Omen,putbackyourgunsagainandlayyourriflesby,We’vefoughtourfight,andthebestaredown。Letupandletusdie!

Quitfiring,bythebowthere——quit!Calloffthe~Baltic~’screw!

You’resureofHellasmeorRube——butwaittillwegetthrough。\"

Therewentnowordbetweentheships,butthickandquickandloudThelife—blooddrummedonthedrippingdecks,withthefog—dewfromtheshroud,Thesea—pulldrewthemsidebyside,gunneltogunnellaid,Andtheyfeltthesheerstrakespoundandclear,butneverawordwassaid。

ThenReubenPainecriedoutagainbeforehisspiritpassed:

\"HaveIfollowedtheseaforthirtyyearstodieinthedarkatlast?

Curseonherworkthathasnippedmeherewithashiftytrickunkind——

IhavegottenmydeathwhereIgotmybread,butIdarenotfaceitblind。

Curseonthefog!IsthereneverawindofallthewindsIknewToclearthesmotherfromoffmychest,andletmelookattheblue?\"

Thegoodfogheard——likeasplittensail,toleftandrightshetore,Andtheysawthesun—dogsinthehazeandthesealupontheshore。

Silverandgrayranspitandbaytomeetthesteel—backedtide,Andpinchedandwhiteintheclearinglightthecrewsstaredoverside。

Orainbow—gaytheredpoolslaythatswilledandspilledandspread,Andgold,rawgold,thespentshellrolledbetweenthecarelessdead——

Thedeadthatrockedsodrunkenwisetoweatherandtolee,AndtheysawtheworktheirhandshaddoneasGodhadbadethemsee。

Andalittlebreezeblewovertherailthatmadetheheadsailslift,Butnomanstoodbywheelorsheet,andtheylettheschoonersdrift。

AndtherattleroseinReuben’sthroatandhecasthissoulwithacry,And\"Gonealready?\"TomHallhesaid。\"Thenit’stimeformetodie。\"

Hiseyeswereheavywithgreatsleepandyearningfortheland,Andhespokeasamanthattalksindreams,hiswoundbeneathhishand。

\"Oh,therecomesnogoodo’thewesteringwindthatbacksagainstthesun;

Washdownthedecks——they’realltoored——andsharetheskinsandrun,~Baltic~,~Stralsund~,and~NorthernLight~——cleanshareandshareforall,You’llfindthefleetsoffTolstoiMees,butyouwillnotfindTomHall。

Evilhedidinshoal—waterandblackersinonthedeep,Butnowhe’ssickofwatchandtrickandnowhe’llturnandsleep。

He’llhavenomoreofthecrawlingseathatmadehimsufferso,Buthe’llliedownonthekilling—groundswheretheholluschickiego。

Andwestyou’llsailandsouthagain,beyondthesea—fog’srim,AndtelltheYoshiwaragirlstoburnastickforhim。

Andyou’llnotweighthimbytheheelsanddumphimoverside,Butcarryhimuptothesand—hollowstodieasBeringdied,AndmakeaplaceforReubenPainethatknowsthefightwasfair,Andleavethetwothatdidthewrongtotalkitoverthere!\"

Half—steamaheadbyguessandlead,forthesunismostlyveiled——

Throughfogtofog,byluckandlog,sailyeasBeringsailed;

Andifthelightshallliftarighttogiveyourlandfallplain,Northandbywest,fromZapneCrest,yeraisetheCrossesTwain。

Fairmarksaretheytotheinnerbay,therecklesspoacherknowsWhattimethescarredsee—catchieleadtheirsleekseraglios。

Evertheyhearthefloe—packclear,andtheblastoftheoldbull—whale,Andthedeepseal—roarthatbeatsoff—shoreabovetheloudestgale。

Evertheywaitthewinter’shateasthethundering~boorga~calls,WherenorthwardlooktheytoSt。George,andwestwardtoSt。Paul’s。

Evertheygreetthehuntedfleet——lonekeelsoffheadlandsdrear——

Whenthesealing—schoonersflitthatwayathazardyearbyyear。

EverinYokohamaportmentellthetaleanewOfahiddenseaandahiddenfight,Whenthe~Baltic~ranfromthe~NorthernLight~

Andthe~Stralsund~foughtthetwo。

THEDERELICT

~Andreportsthederelict~MaryPollock~stillatsea。~

SHIPPINGNEWS。

IwasthestaunchestofourfleetTillthesearosebeneathourfeetUnheralded,inhatredpastallmeasure。

Intohispitshestampedmycrew,Buffeted,blinded,boundandthrew,Biddingmeeyelesswaituponhispleasure。

Manmademe,andmywillIstomymakerstill,Whomnowthecurrentscon,therollerssteer——

LiftingforlorntospyTrailedsmokealongthesky,Fallingafraidlestanykeelcomenear!

Wrenchedasthelipsofthirst,Wried,dried,andsplitandburst,Bone—bleachedmydecks,wind—scouredtothegraining;

AndjarredateveryrollThegearthatwasmysoulAnswerstheanguishofmybeams’complaining。

Forlifethatcrammedmefull,GangsofthepryinggullThatshriekandscrabbleontherivenhatches!

Forroarthatdumbedthegale,Myhawse—pipesgutteringwail,Sobbingmyheartoutthroughtheuncountedwatches!

BlindinthehotblueringThroughallmypointsIswing——

Swingandreturntoshiftthesunanew。

Blindinmywell—knownskyIhearthestarsgoby,Mockingtheprowthatcannotholdonetrue!

WhiteonmywastedpathWaveafterwaveinwrathFrets’gainsthisfellow,warringwheretosendme。

Flungforward,heavedaside,WitlessanddazedIbideThemercyofthecomberthatshallendme。

Northwherethebergscareen,ThesprayofseasunseenSmokesroundmyheadandfreezesinthefalling;

Southwherethecoralsbreed,Thefootless,floatingweedFoldsmeandfoulsme,strakeonstrakeupcrawling。

IthatwascleantorunMyraceagainstthesun——

Strengthonthedeep,ambawdtoalldisaster——

WhippedforthbynighttomeetMysister’scarelessfeet,Andwithakissbetrayhertomymaster!

Manmademe,andmywillIstomymakerstill——

Tohimandhis,ourpeoplesattheirpier:

LiftinginhopetospyTrailedsmokealongthesky,Fallingafraidlestanykeelcomenear!

THEANSWER

ARose,intattersonthegardenpath,CriedouttoGodandmurmured’gainstHisWrath,Becauseasuddenwindattwilight’shushHadsnappedherstemaloneofallthebush。

AndGod,Whohearsbothsun—drieddustandsun,Hadpity,whisperingtothatlucklessone,\"Sister,inthatthousayestWedidnotwell——

Whatvoicesheardstthouwhenthypetalsfell?\"

AndtheRoseanswered,\"InthatevilhourAvoicesaid,`Father,whereforefallstheflower?

Forlo,theverygossamersarestill。’

Andavoiceanswered,`Son,byAllah’swill!’\"

Thensoftlyasarain—mistonthesward,CametotheRosetheAnsweroftheLord:

\"Sister,beforeWesmotethedarkintwain,Ereyetthestarssawoneanotherplain,Time,Tide,andSpace,WebounduntothetaskThatthoushouldstfall,andsuchanoneshouldask。\"

Whereatthewitheredflower,allcontent,Diedastheydiewhosedaysareinnocent;

WhilehewhoquestionedwhytheflowerfellCaughtholdofGodandsavedhissoulfromHell。

THESONGOFTHEBANJO

Youcouldn’tpackaBroadwoodhalfamile——

Youmustn’tleaveafiddleinthedamp——

Youcouldn’traftanorganuptheNile,AndplayitinanEquatorialswamp。

~I~travelwiththecooking—potsandpails——

~I’m~sandwiched’tweenthecoffeeandthepork——

Andwhenthedustycolumnchecksandtails,Youshouldhearmespurtherear—guardtoawalk!

Withmy\"~Pilly—willy—winky—winkypopp!~\"

[Oh,it’sanytunethatcomesintomyhead!]

SoIkeep’emmovingforwardtilltheydrop;

SoIplay’emuptowaterandtobed。