The Home Book of Verse
Chapter 348 : From St. Jago's wealthy port, from Havannah's royal fort, The seaman goes fo

From St. Jago's wealthy port, from Havannah's royal fort, The seaman goes forth without fear; For since that stormy night not a mortal hath had sight Of the flag of the last Buccaneer.

Thomas Babington Macaulay [1800-1859]

THE LEADSMAN'S SONG

For England, when with favoring gale, Our gallant s.h.i.+p up Channel steered, And scudding, under easy sail, The high blue western lands appeared, To heave the lead the seaman sprang, And to the pilot cheerly sang, "By the deep--Nine."

And bearing up to gain the port, Some well-known object kept in view, An abbey tower, a ruined fort, A beacon to the vessel true; While oft the lead the seaman flung, And to the pilot cheerly sung, "By the mark--Seven."

And as the much-loved sh.o.r.e we near, With transport we behold the roof Where dwelt a friend or partner dear, Of faith and love and matchless proof.

The lead once more the seaman flung, And to the watchful pilot sung, "Quarter less--Five."

Now to her berth the s.h.i.+p draws nigh, With slackened sail she feels the tide, Stand clear the cable is the cry, The anchor's gone, we safely ride.

The watch is set, and through the night, We hear the seaman with delight Proclaim--"All's well."

Charles Dibdin [1745-1814]

HOMEWARD BOUND

Head the s.h.i.+p for England!

Shake out every sail!

Blithe leap the billows, Merry sings the gale.

Captain, work the reckoning; How many knots a day?-- Round the world and home again, That's the sailor's way!

We've traded with the Yankees, Brazilians and Chinese; We've laughed with dusky beauties In shade of tall palm-trees; Across the line and Gulf-Stream-- Round by Table Bay-- Everywhere and home again, That's the sailor's way!

Nightly stands the North Star Higher on our bow; Straight we run for England; Our thoughts are in it now.

Jolly times with friends ash.o.r.e, When we've drawn our pay!-- All about and home again, That's the sailor's way!

Tom will to his parents, Jack will to his dear, Joe to wife and children, Bob to pipes and beer; d.i.c.ky to the dancing-room, To hear the fiddles play;-- Round the world and home again, That's the sailor's way!

William Allingham [1824-1889]

THE SIMPLE LIFE

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always, night and day, I hear lake-water lapping with low sounds by the sh.o.r.e; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray, I hear it in the deep heart's core.

William Butler Yeats [1865-

A WISH

Mine be a cot beside the hill; A bee-hive's hum shall soothe my ear; A willowy brook, that turns a mill, With many a fall shall linger near.

The swallow, oft, beneath my thatch Shall twitter from her clay-built nest; Oft shall the pilgrim lift the latch, And share my meal, a welcome guest.

Around my ivied porch shall spring Each fragrant flower that drinks the dew; And Lucy, at her wheel, shall sing In russet-gown and ap.r.o.n blue.

The village-church among the trees, Where first our marriage-vows were given, With merry peals shall swell the breeze And point with taper spire to Heaven.

Samuel Rogers [1763-1855]

ODE ON SOLITUDE

Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire, Whose trees in summer yield him shade, In winter, fire.

Blest, who can unconcernedly find Hours, days, and years, slide soft away In health of body, peace of mind, Quiet by day;

Sound sleep by night; study and ease Together mixed, sweet recreation, And innocence, which most does please, With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; Thus unlamented let me die; Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie.