The Story of a Round-House, and Other Poems

by John Masefield

And in the rest-house the muleteers arose.

And all day long, where only the eagle goes,

Stones, loosened by the sun, fall; the stones falling

Fill empty gorge on gorge with echoes calling.

EXPLANATIONS OF SOME OF THE SEA
TERMS USED IN THE POEM

Backstays. Wire ropes which support the masts against lateral and after strains.

Barney's bull. A figure in marine proverb. A jewel in marine repartee.

Bells. Two bells (one forward, one aft) which are struck every half-hour in a certain manner to mark the passage of the watches.

Bitts. Strong wooden structures (built round each mast) upon which running rigging is secured.

Block. A sheaved pulley.