Once on a time the sea was fraught with fear For whoso sailed thereon. The shadow of death Hung over all, and, as old story saith, He did his work best who the best could steer 'Twixt hidden reef and hovering privateer. But now 'tis Apathy, Folly, Slander's breath— 'Tis not the half-tamed sea which sundereth Her children from the safety that's so dear. Wherefore the time has come for lads at sea To join strong hands together, till at length Before their brotherhood the phantoms flee, Named Brute Oppression, Ignorance, Lust, and Hate, And the strong learn that Love alone is just, And the weak learn that Union is their strength. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WALL STREET PIT, MAY, 1901 by EDWIN MARKHAM A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 18 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN CHRISTMAS CAROL by SARA TEASDALE MOONRISE AT SEA by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 28. AS-BAZIR by EDWIN ARNOLD THE COMMON A-TOOK IN by WILLIAM BARNES ALFARABI; THE WORLD-MAKER. A RHAPSODICAL FRAGMENT by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |