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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MALDIVE SHARK, by HERMAN MELVILLE Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: About the shark, phlegmatical one
Last Line: Pale ravener of horrible meat.
Subject(s): Hate; Sea; Sharks; Ocean
First Line: About the shark, phlegmatical one
Last Line: Pale ravener of horrible meat.
Subject(s): Hate; Sea; Sharks; Ocean
About the shark, phlegmatical one,
Pale sot of the Maldive sea,
The sleek little pilot-fish, azure and slim,
How alert in attendance be.
From his saw-pit of mouth, from is charnel of maw
They have nothing of harm to dread,
But liquidly glide on his ghastly flank
Or before his Gorgonian head;
Or lurk in the port of serrated teeth
In white triple tiers of glittering gates,
And there find a haven when peril's abroad,
An asylum in jaws of the Fates!
They are friends; and friendly they guide him to prey,
Yet never partake of the treat --
Eyes and brains to the dotard lethargic and dull,
Pale ravener of horrible meat.
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