Flower Pieces and other poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Clink-clink-clink goes our windlass.
‘Ahoy!’—‘Haul in!’—‘Let go!’
Yards braced and sails set,—
Flags uncurl and flow.
Some eyes that watch from shore are wet,
(How bright their welcome shone!)
While, bending softly to the breeze,
And rushing through the parted seas,
Our gallant ship glides on.

II

Tho' one has left a sweetheart,
And one has left a wife,
What use, my lads, to mope and fret?
We live a sailor's life.
See, far away they signal yet—
They dwindle—fade—they're gone!
For dashing outwards, bold and brave,
And springing light from wave to wave,
Our merry ship flies on.

III

Gay spreads the sparkling ocean;
But many a gloomy night
And stormy morrow must be met
Ere next we heave in sight.
The parting look we'll ne'er forget,
The kiss, the benison,
As round the rolling world we go.
God bless you all!—blow, breezes, blow!
Sail on, good ship, sail on!