Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG OF THE PADDLERS, FR. MARDI, by HERMAN MELVILLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG OF THE PADDLERS, FR. MARDI, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thrice waved on high
Last Line: On the torrent's tide!
Subject(s): Rowing


(All.)

Thrice waved on high,
Our paddles fly:
Thrice round the head, thrice dropt to feet:
And then well timed,
Of one stout mind,
All fall, and back the waters heap!

(Bow-Paddler.)

Who lifts this chant?
Who sounds this vaunt?

(All.)

The wild sea song, to the billows' throng,
Rising, falling,
Hoarsely calling,
Now high, now low, as fast we go,
Fast on our flying foe!

(Bow-Paddler.)

Who lifts this chant?
Who sounds this vaunt?

(All.)

Dip, dip, in the brine our paddles dip,
Dip, dip, the fins of our swimming ship!
How the waters part,
As on we dart;
Our sharp prows fly,
And curl on high,
As the upright fin of the rushing shark,
Rushing fast and far on his flying mark!
Like him we prey;
Like him we slay;
Swim on the foe,
Our prow a blow!

(Bow-Paddler.)

Who lifts this chant?
Who sounds this vaunt?

(All.)

Heap back; heap back; the waters back!
Pile them high astern, in billows black;
Till we leave our wake,
In the slope we make;
And rush and ride,
On the torrent's tide!





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