Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO KALAKAUA, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON


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TO KALAKAUA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The silver ship, my king - that was her name
Last Line: Honolulu, feb. 3, 1889.
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour
Subject(s): Sea; Ships & Shipping; Travel; Ocean; Journeys; Trips


THE Silver Ship, my King -- that was her name
In the bright islands whence your fathers came --
The Silver Ship, at rest from winds and tides,
Below your palace in your harbour rides:
And the seafarers, sitting safe on shore,
Like eager merchants count their treasures o'er.
One gift they find, one strange and lovely thing,
Now doubly precious since it pleased a king.

The right, my liege, is ancient as the lyre
For bards to give to kings what kings admire.
'Tis mine to offer for Apollo's sake;
And since the gift is fitting, yours to take.
To golden hands the golden pearl I bring:
The ocean jewel to the island king.

HONOLULU, Feb. 3, 1889.





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