In the days when still one went to look for whales, cruising so far, sailor, it made our sweethearts weep, there was on every road a Christ upon the cross, there were marquises covered with lace, there was the Holy Virgin and there was the King. In the days when still one went to look for whales, cruising so far, sailor, it made our sweethearts weep, there were mariners who kept the faith, and mighty lords who spat upon it, there was the Holy Virgin and there was the King. Well, nowadays, the whole world is content, 'tis no mere empty phrase, sailor, in truth one is content! . . . There are no more mighty lords nor Christs upon the cross, but there is the republic and there is the president, and there are no more whales. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EVENEN IN THE VILLAGE by WILLIAM BARNES MOONLIT APPLES by JOHN DRINKWATER THE INDIAN BURYING GROUND by PHILIP FRENEAU THE FIRST PROCLAMATION OF MILES STANDISH [NOVEMBER 23, 1620] by MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON COUNTRY DOCTOR by DANA KNEELAND AKERS A MOOD by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH GREEN LEAVES AND SERE by MATHILDE BLIND |