Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A VISIT FROM NEPTUNE, by ARTHUR PETERSON Poet's Biography First Line: It was the good ship iroquois Last Line: As o'er the deep we rolled. Subject(s): Sailing & Sailors | ||||||||
It was the good ship Iroquois, She sailed the southern sea, O jolly tars, and apprentice boys, And officers gay were we! Southward we sailed till overhead The Southern Cross shone bright, While far behind, as on we fled, The North Star sank from sight. Southward we sailed till we reached the Line, 'Twas the first watch of the night, And song and pipe and golden wine Our wandering hours made bright. Then suddenly -- was it from out the sea? -- Sounded a merry horn, And "Ship ahoy!" -- as listened we -- Unto our ears was borne And up the ladder, out of the deep, With trident glittering bright, And beard that on the deck did sweep, Old Neptune hove in sight. "What ship is this?" "The Iroquois," Our Captain speaks him straight. "Where form? Where bound?" With beard he toys And bends his royal pate. Each answer in a volume old, With information stored, He writes. Then quoth he, "Captain bold Have you any lubbers on board?" The Captain spake, "A few there are, I think, your Majesty." Grimly then smiled each jolly tar, Trembled each lubber's knee. "Ho! Ho!" the king of ocean cried, Twinkled his eyes so blue, "Gramercy! But I fancied I'd Find something here to do. "With your permission, Captain brave, To-morrow morn at ten The customary rites we'll have, And lubbers change to men." He grasped his glittering trident tight, The monarch of the deep, He turned and disappeared from sight Adown the ladder steep. Our Captain poured the sparkling cheer, He was a sailor bold, We drank to wives and sweethearts dear As o'er the deep we rolled. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EASTERN LONG ISLAND by MARVIN BELL SAILS OF MURMUR by ANSELM HOLLO LOST ABOARD U.S.S. 'GROWLER'; IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM HICKEY, 1944 by CHARLES OLSON THE LOVE POEMS OF MARICHIKO: 11 by KENNETH REXROTH THE LOVE POEMS OF MARICHIKO: 47 by KENNETH REXROTH A CLOUD FANCY by ARTHUR PETERSON |
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