Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, INAUGURATION SONNET: WILLIAM JEWETT TUCKER, by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

INAUGURATION SONNET: WILLIAM JEWETT TUCKER, by                    
First Line: The ships which set out from the ancient shore
Last Line: He would not have it thus — he bids us smile.
Subject(s): Dartmouth College; Tucker, William Jewett (1839-1926)


THE ships which set out from the ancient shore
Of Truth's vast sea, pause not their onward sweep
With change of captains. For, on that stern deep
All ships exceed commanders. ... Though no more
His voice shall ring above the sentient roar
Yet shall our bark bear on. But we who keep
Its sails before the wind — Ah! we shall weep
For loss of this one man our hearts adore.
O'er all the seas he led us stanch and true,
His leadership harks back for many a mile;
And can it be that we must say adieu
To him who brought us to this treasure isle?
Farewell! Ah, no, — the word has too much rue,
He would not have it thus — he bids us smile.





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