Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DEPARTURE OF THE PILOT (DANIEL C. GILMAN), by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL Poet's Biography First Line: Slender spars and snowy wings Last Line: "comrades on the glorious sea." Alternate Author Name(s): Hedbrooke, Andrew Subject(s): California, University Of; Gilman, Daniel Coit (1831-1908) | ||||||||
SLENDER spars and snowy wings, Arrowy hull that cleaves the foam, -- See! the good ship grandly swings Forth to seek her ocean home. Thro' the narrow harbor-gate, Past the rocks that guard the bay, Towards where friendlier billows wait, Well she holds her stately way. Angry now the breakers are; Gleam their white teeth in the sun, Where along the shallow bar, Fierce and high their ridges run. But the pilot-captain, lo! How serene in strength is he! Blithe as winds that dawnward blow, Fresh and fearless as the sea. Now the shifting breezes fail, Baffling gusts arise and die, Shakes and shudders every sail, Hark! the rocks are roaring nigh. But the pilot keeps her keel Where the current runneth fair, Deftly turns the massive wheel Light as though 't were hung in air. Hark! the bar on either side! Hiss of foam, and crash of crest, Trampling feet, and shouts -- they glide Safely out on ocean's breast. Then the Pilot gives his hand To his brother, close beside: "Now 't is thine to take command, I must back at turn of tide." Then the brother-captains true Grasp each other by the hand, Bidding cheerily adieu But a moment as they stand. Something in the elder's eye Glimmers -- is it but the spray? Something -- could it be a sigh, Or a breeze that died away? And quoth he: "O brother brave, Wisely thou hast steered and well, Now all fair are wind and wave, -- Come and tarry with us still." "Wave and wind at last are fair, Rosy-bright the new-born day, Hope and faith are in the air, -- Come and sail with us for aye!" But the pilot's shallop-prow Chafes against the vessel's side: "Nay, true heart, thy wisdom now Shall the good ship's fortunes guide." "On the morrow they shall launch Yonder from the Eastern shore, Yet another vessel, staunch, Sound as e'er was built before. "Hopes and prayers upon her wait: Her deep bosom, grand and free, Bears a wealth of mystic freight: I must guide her to the sea. "But upon our voyage far We shall meet in other days, Since the same pure polar star Shines to beacon both our ways. "Far away where favoring gales Blow from many a spicy beach, We shall see our shining sails Nodding friendly, each to each. "Many a morning that shall dawn With its radiant prophecy, Still shall greet us sailing on -- Comrades on the glorious sea." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PRAYER by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL AMONG THE REDWOODS by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL OPPORTUNITY by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL THE FOOL'S PRAYER by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL A BAKER'S DUZZEN UV WIZE SAWZ by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL A BIRD'S SONG by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL A CALIFORNIAN'S DREAMS by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL A CHILD AND A STAR by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL A DAILY MIRACLE by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL |
|