Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TWO SHIPS, by FRANCIS BRET HARTE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TWO SHIPS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: As I stand by the cross on the lone mountain's crest
Last Line: To the ship that is waiting for me.
Alternate Author Name(s): Harte, Bret
Subject(s): Religion; Theology


As I stand by the cross on the lone mountain's crest,
Looking over the ultimate sea,
In the gloom of the mountain a ship lies at rest,
And one sails away from the lee:
One spreads its white wings on a far-reaching track,
With pennant and sheet flowing free;
One hides in the shadow with sails laid aback, --
The ship that is waiting for me!

But lo, in the distance the clouds break away!
The Gate's glowing portals I see;
And I hear from the outgoing ship in the bay
The song of the sailors in glee:
So I think of the luminous footprints that bore
The comfort o'er dark Galilee,
And wait for the signal to go to the shore,
To the ship that is waiting for me.





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