Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GO!, by JOHN LAURENCE RENTOUL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GO!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The ship was waiting in the bay
Last Line: As we two go.
Alternate Author Name(s): Gage, Gervais
Subject(s): Farewell; Ships & Shipping; Travel; Parting; Journeys; Trips


THE ship was waiting in the bay,
The wind's voice whispered soft and low:
I said:—'O maiden, shall I stay,
Or shall I go?'

Her cheek grew pale: as with a wand
The sunset blessed her soft brown hair:
She crushed a flower within her hand:
O, she was fair!

Silent she stood: the trellised rose
Just touched and trembled on her breast:
O petal, kissed by evening glows,
The riddle's guessed!

The silent lips, the paling cheek,
The blush rose quivering on her breast—
'O little maiden, do not speak,
I know the rest!

'But, O fair maiden, storms will blow
And rough Heaven vex the darkling way;
O little maiden, shall I go,
Or shall I stay?

'Life's duteous venture lies afar
O'er the long rolling of the wave:
Wilt stay where level pathways are?
Girl, art thou brave?'

Then, beauteous as the sunset glow—
O, but her face was fair to see!—
She whispered:—"Do not fear to go:
I go with thee!

"O, yes! let tempests mutter loud
Or night fall dark upon the sea,
A maiden's will, by fear un-bowed,
Is brave in thee!"

Two hearts kneel in the sea-side church,
A little hand is clasped in mine;
On a fair finger, like a torch,
Troth's symbols shine.

Our ship lies waiting in the bay:
A fair wind whispers soft and low:
The jocund bells chime out to-day
As we two go.





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