Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONGS IN ABSENCE: 7. THE SHIP, by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH



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SONGS IN ABSENCE: 7. THE SHIP, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Where lies the land to which the ship would go?
Last Line: Far, far behind, is all that they can say.
Subject(s): Sea Voyages; Ships & Shipping


Where lies the land to which the ship would go?
Far, far ahead, is all her seamen know.
And where the land she travels from?
Away, Far, far behind, is all that they can say.

On sunny noons upon the deck's smooth face,
Linked arm in arm, how pleasant here to pace!
Or o'er the stern reclining, watch below
The foaming wake far widening as we go.

On stormy nights, when wild northwesters rave,
How proud a thing to fight with wind and wave!
The dripping sailor on the reeling mast
Exults to bear, and scorns to wish it past.

Where lies the land to which the ship would go?
Far, far ahead, is all her seamen know.
And where the land she travels from? Away,
Far, far behind, is all that they can say.




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