I WATCH THE SHIPS
I WATCH the ships by town and lea
With sails full set glide out to sea,
Till by the distant light-house rock
The breakers beat with roar and shock
And foam fierce flying o'er their decks,
While deep below lie ocean's wrecks;
What careth she?
I stand beside the beaten quay
And look while laden ships from sea
Come proudly home upon the tide
lake conquering kings at eventide,
Or from fierce fights with wintry gales
Steal shoreward now with tattered sails;
O cruel sea!
I pass once more the old gray pier
Where men have waited many a year
For ships that ne'er again shall glide
By town and lea on favoring tide,—
Strong ships that struggled till the gales
Of winter hid their shrouds and sails
In ocean drear.
Soft sailing spirits, how they glide
Forth on life's fitful sea untried
To breast the waves and bear the shocks
Beyond the guarded light-house rocks,
To strive and struggle many a year;
Strong souls, indeed, if they can bear
Life's wind and tide.
I watch beside life's beaten quay
The tides bring back all joyously
To anchor by the sheltered shore
Some freighted full with golden store
From rich spice-fields and perfumed sands
Of soft, luxuriant tropic lands;
O kindly sea!
But some have met with wintry gales,
And come at last with shattered sails
To anchor by the old gray pier;
While loving ones in hope and fear
Wait on for some that never more
Shall anchor by a peaceful shore;
O sad, sad sea!