 | Poems of Charles Warren Stoddard . |  |
138
DECREES
I sit in sorrow by the watery gates,
A-questioning the Fates.
A-questioning the Fates.
I ask: “What manner of strange ships are these
Slipping adown the seas?
Slipping adown the seas?
“Slipping adown the slanting seas—what sail
Is yonder—calm and pale?”
Is yonder—calm and pale?”
Then the Fates answer me: “That goodly bark
Braving the waters dark
Braving the waters dark
“So fearlessly—the cross upon her mast—
Is Trust, come home at last.
Is Trust, come home at last.
“Yon quivering craft that veers and puts about,
Is the long-cruising Doubt.
Is the long-cruising Doubt.
139
“This dancing galley that the waters mock
Shall strike upon the rock;
Shall strike upon the rock;
“'Tis Chance, a pleasure yacht; her ribs shall bleach
Upon the blistering beach.”
Upon the blistering beach.”
Yet still I see a flamelike, shining cloud,
And eager cry aloud:
And eager cry aloud:
“That other sail that waits upon the wind—
What is her name and kind?”
What is her name and kind?”
To me the Fates: “Though lying still and wan
She shall approach anon;
She shall approach anon;
“So nobly manned—with any gale to cope—
Behold the trusty Hope.”
Behold the trusty Hope.”
“Quicken the winds, I pray you, worthy Fates;
In her are stored my freights!
In her are stored my freights!
“Nor am I fit for life of any sort,
Till she shall reach the port.”
Till she shall reach the port.”
| Poems of Charles Warren Stoddard . | |