第4章
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  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。

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