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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。