THE
SEA CAPTAIN. (11)
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I.
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The anchor is up and the broad sails are spread,
The good ship is adrift from the land,
And the sportive spray sprinkles the fair figure-head,
As if flung from some sea-spirits hand.
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II.
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The wind pipes aloud thro’ cordage and spars
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The sea-boy sings back to the wind,
The day is all sunshine, the night is all stars—
Was never old Neptune more kind. |
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III.
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But the master he paceth the deck to and fro,
(Impatient of fortune I ween!)
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Now his footstep is hurried, now leaden and slow,
As he mutters his shut lips between. [Page 39] |
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IV.
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And his eye fiercely glares at the blue blessed sky,
As if all his tormenting lay there:
Now he smiteth his breast as to stifle a sigh,
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A sigh that resounds of despair. |
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V.
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’Tis the midwatch of night—still unwearied he stalks
To and fro in the moonlight so dim;
And unto himself or some phantom he talks,
While the phantom seems talking to him.
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VI.
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After o’er the waters, an index of light,
Points the eye to the darkness intense;
Say, whence comes the skiff that entrances his sight—
What destiny carries it hence?
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VII.
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There standeth a form where the mast might have stood,
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As a sail her scarf catches the breeze—
And the ’kerchief she waves has the color of blood,
While her girdle hangs loose to her knees. [Page 40] |
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VIII.
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There is sin, there is shame, there is shipwreck of fame,
In the eye, on the brow of the maid—
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No need unto him that she should name her name,
At a glance the whole story is said. |
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IX.
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To the ship’s side she drew in her ghostly canoe,
For a moment has waited her prey:
In vain shout the crew, to the phantom he flew—
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In the darkness they vanish away. |
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X.
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When the Priest heard the tale by the gossips told o’er,
“Of a truth,”—so he said,—“it may be:
For the sins men imagine they leave upon shore
Do follow them often to sea.” [Page 41]
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40 |
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