Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WHALES, by PAUL FORT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WHALES, by                    
First Line: In the days when still one went to look for whales, cruising so far
Last Line: No more whales.
Subject(s): Religion; Whales; Theology


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.





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