THE SHIP

There was no song nor shout of joy

Nor beam of moon or sun,

When she came back from the voyage

Long ago begun;

But twilight on the waters

Was quiet and grey,

And she glided steady, steady and pensive,

Over the open bay.

Her sails were brown and ragged,

And her crew hollow-eyed,

But their silent lips spoke content

And their shoulders pride;

Though she had no captives on her deck,

And in her hold

There were no heaps of corn or timber

Or silks or gold.

J. C. Squire