Inthesilenceofthecampbeforethefight，Whenit’sgoodtomakeyourwillandsayyourprayer，Youcanhearmy~strumpty—tumpty~overnightExplainingtentoonewasalwaysfair。
I’mtheProphetoftheUtterlyAbsurd，OfthePatentlyImpossibleandVain——
AndwhentheThingthatCouldn’thasoccurred，Givemetimetochangemylegandgoagain。
Withmy\"~Tumpa—tumpa—tumpa—tum—patump！~\"
Inthedesertwherethedung—fedcamp—smokecurledTherewasnevervoicebeforeustillIledourlonelychorus，I——thewar—drumoftheWhiteManroundtheworld！
BythebitterroadtheYoungerSonmusttread，Erehewintohearthandsaddleofhisown，——
’Midtheriotoftheshearersattheshed，Inthesilenceoftheherder’shutalone——
Inthetwilight，onabucketupsidedown，Hearmebabblewhattheweakestwon’tconfess——
IamMemoryandTorment——IamTown！
Iamallthateverwentwitheveningdress！
Withmy\"~Tunk—atunka—tunka—tunka—tunk！~\"
[Sothelights——theLondonLights——grownearandplain！]
SoIrowel’emafreshtowardstheDevilandtheFlesh，TillIbringmybrokenrankershomeagain。
Indesireofmanymarvelsoversea，Wherethenew—raisedtropiccitysweatsandroars，IhavesailedwithYoungUlyssesfromthequayTilltheanchorrumbleddownonstrangershores。
Heisbloodedtotheopenandthesky，Heistakeninasnarethatshallnotfail，Heshallhearmesingingstrongly，tillhedie，Liketheshoutingofabackstayinagale。
Withmy\"~Hya！Heeya！Heeya！Hullah！Haul！~\"
[Othegreenthatthundersaftalongthedeck！]
Areyousicko’townsandmen？Youmustsignandsailagain，Forit’s\"JohnnyBowlegs，packyourkitandtrek！\"
Throughthegorgethatgivesthestarsatnoon—dayclear——
Upthepassthatpacksthescudbeneathourwheel——
Roundthebluffthatsinksherthousandfathomsheer——
Downthevalleywithourgutteringbrakesasqueal：
Wherethetrestlegroansandquiversinthesnow，Wherethemany—sheddedlevelsloopandtwine，SoIleadmyrecklesschildrenfrombelowTillwesingtheSongofRolandtothepine。
Withmy\"~Tinka—tinka—tinka—tinka—tink！~\"
[Andtheaxehasclearedthemountain，croupandcrest！]
Soweridetheironstallionsdowntodrink，Throughtheca]~nonstothewatersoftheWest！
Andthetunesthatmeansomuchtoyoualone——
Commontunesthatmakeyouchokeandblowyournose，Vulgartunesthatbringthelaughthatbringsthegroan——
Icanripyourveryheartstringsoutwiththose;
Withthefeasting，andthefolly，andthefun——
Andthelying，andthelusting，andthedrink，Andthemerryplaythatdropsyou，whenyou’redone，Tothethoughtsthatburnlikeironsifyouthink。
Withmy\"~Plunka—lunka—lunka—lunka—lunk！~\"
Here’satrifleonaccountofpleasurepast，ErethewitthatmadeyouwingivesyoueyestoseeyoursinAndtheheavierrepentanceatthelast！
Lettheorganmoanhersorrowtotheroof——
IhavetoldthenakedstarstheGriefofMan！
Letthetrumpetssnarethefoemantotheproof——
IhaveknownDefeat，andmockeditasweran！
MybrayyemaynotalternormistakeWhenIstandtojeerthefattedSoulofThings，ButtheSongofLostEndeavourthatImake，Isithiddeninthetwangingofthestrings？
Withmy\"~Ta—ra—rara—rara—ra—ra—rrrp！~\"
[Isitnaughttoyouthathearandpassmeby？]
Buttheword——thewordismine，whentheordermovesthelineAndthelean，lockedranksgoroaringdowntodie。
OfthedrivendustofspeechImakeaflameAndascourgeofbrokenwithesthatmenletfall：
ForthewordsthathadnohonourtillIcame——
Lo！Iraisethemintohonouroverall！
BythewisdomofthecenturiesIspeak——
TothetuneofyestermornIsetthetruth——
I，thejoyoflifeunquestioned——I，theGreek——
I，theeverlastingWonderSongofYouth！
Withmy\"~Tinka—tinka—tinka—tinka—tink！~\"
[Whatd’yelack，mynoblemasters？Whatd’yelack？]
SoIdrawtheworldtogetherlinkbylink：
Yea，fromDelosuptoLimerickandback！
THELINERSHE’SALADY
TheLinershe’salady，an’sheneverlooksnor’eeds——
TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband，an’’egives’erallsheneeds;
But，oh，thelittlecargo—boats，thatsailthewetseasroun’，They’rejustthesameasyouan’mea—plyin’upan’down！
Plyin’upan’down，Jenny，’angin’roundtheYard，AllthewaybyFrattontramdowntoPortsmouth’Ard;
Anythin’forbusiness，an’we’regrowin’old——
Plyin’upan’down，Jenny，waitin’inthecold！
TheLinershe’saladybythepaintupon’erface，An’ifshemeetsanaccidenttheycountitsoredisgrace：
TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband，and’e’salways’andyby，But，oh，thelittlecargo—boats！they’vegottoloadordie。
TheLinershe’salady，and’errouteiscutan’dried;
TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband，an’’ealwayskeepsbeside;
But，oh，thelittlecargo—boatsthat’aven’tanyman，They’vegottodotheirbusinessfirst，andmakethemosttheycan！
TheLinershe’salady，andifawarshouldcome，TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband，and’e’dbid’erstayathome;
But，oh，thelittlecargo—boatsthatfillwitheverytide！
’E’d’avetoupan’fightforthem，fortheyareEngland’spride。
TheLinershe’salady，butifshewasn’tmade，Therestillwouldbethecargo—boatsfor’omean’foreigntrade。
TheMan—o’—War’s’er’usband，butifwewasn’t’ere，’Ewouldn’thavetofightatallfor’omean’friendssodear。
’Omean’friendssodear，Jenny，’angin’roundtheYard，AllthewaybyFrattontramdowntoPortsmouth’Ard;
Anythin’forbusiness，an’we’regrowin’old——
’Omean’friendssodear，Jenny，waitin’inthecold！
MULHOLLAND’SCONTRACT
Thefearwasonthecattle，forthegalewasonthesea，An’thepensbrokeuponthelowerdeckan’letthecreaturesfree——
An’thelightswentoutonthelowerdeck，an’noonenearbutme。
Ihadbeensingin’tothemtokeep’emquietthere，Forthelowerdeckisthedangerousest，requirin’constantcare，An’givetomeasthestrongestman，thoughusedtodrinkandswear。
Iseemychancewascertainofbein’hornedortrod，Forthelowerdeckwaspackedwithsteersthicker’npeasinapod，An’morepensbrokeateveryroll——soImadeaContractwithGod。
An’bythetermsoftheContract，asIhavereadthesame，IfHegotmetoportaliveIwouldexaltHisName，An’praiseHisHolyMajestytillfurtherorderscame。
Hesavedmefromthecattlean’Hesavedmefromthesea，Fortheyfoundme’tweentwodrowndedoneswheretherollhadlandedme——
An’afour—inchcrackontopofmyhead，ascrazyascouldbe。
Butthatweredonebyastanchion，an’notbyabullockatall，An’Ilaystillforsevenweeksconvalessingofthefall，An’readin’theshinyScripturetextsintheSeaman’sHospital。
An’IspoketoGodofourContract，an’Hesaystomyprayer：
\"IneverputsonMyministersnomorethantheycanbear。
Sobackyougotothecattle—boatsan’preachMyGospelthere。
\"Forhumanlifeischancyatanykindoftrade，Butmostofall，aswellyouknow，whenthesteersaremad—afraid;
Soyougobacktothecattle—boatsan’preach’emasI’vesaid。
\"Theymustquitdrinkin’an’swearin’，theymustn’tknifeonablow，Theymustquitgamblin’theirwages，andyoumustpreachitso;
FornowthoseboatsaremorelikeHellthananythingelseIknow。\"
Ididn’twanttodoit，forIknewwhatIshouldget，An’IwantedtopreachReligion，handsomean’outofthewet，ButtheWordoftheLordwerelainonme，an’IdonewhatIwasset。
Ihavebeensmitan’bruis]\\ed，aswarnedwouldbethecase，An’turnedmycheektothesmiterexactlyasScripturesays;
Butfollowingthat，Iknockedhimdownan’ledhimuptoGrace。
An’wehavepreachingonSundayswhenevertheseaiscalm，An’Iusenoknifeorpistolan’Inevertakenoharm，FortheLordabidethbackofmetoguidemyfightingarm。
An’Isignforfour—pound—tenamonthandsavethemoneyclear，An’Iaminchargeofthelowerdeck，an’Ineverloseasteer;
An’IbelieveinAlmightyGodan’preachHisGospelhere。
TheskipperssayI’mcrazy，butIcanprove’emwrong，ForIaminchargeofthelowerdeckwithallthatdothbelong——
~Whichtheywouldnotgivetoalunatic，andthecompetitionsostrong！~
ANCHORSONG
Heh！Walkherround。Heave，ahheavehershortagain！
Over，snatchherover，there，andholdheronthepawl。
Looseallsail，andbraceyouryardsbackandfull——
Readyjibtopayheroffandheaveshortall！
Well，ahfareyouwell;wecanstaynomorewithyou，mylove——
Down，setdownyourliquorandyourgirlfromoffyourknee;
Forthewindhascometosay：
\"Youmusttakemewhileyoumay，Ifyou’dgotoMotherCarey（WalkherdowntoMotherCarey！），Oh，we’reboundtoMotherCareywhereshefeedsherchicksatsea！\"
Heh！Walkherround。Break，ahbreakitouto’that！
Breakourstarboard—bowerout，apeak，awash，andclear。
Port——portshecasts，withtheharbour—mudbeneathherfoot，Andthat’sthelasto’bottomweshallseethisyear！
Well，ahfareyouwell，forwe’vegottotakeheroutagain——
Takeheroutinballast，ridinglightandcargo—free。
Andit’stimetoclearandquitWhenthehawsergripsthebitt，Sowe’llpayyouwiththeforesheetandapromisefromthesea！
Heh！Tallyon。Aftandwalkawaywithher！
Handsometothecathead，now;Otallyonthefall！
Stop，seizeandfish，andeasyonthedavit—guy。
Up，welluptheflukeofher，andinboardhaul！
Well，ahfareyouwell，fortheChannelwind’stookholdofus，Chokingdownourvoicesaswesnatchthegasketsfree。
Andit’sblowingupfornight，Andshe’sdroppingLightonLight，Andshe’ssnortingunderbonnetsforabreathofopensea，Wheel，fullandby;butshe’llsmellherroadaloneto—night。
Sicksheisandharbour—sick——Osicktocleartheland！
RolldowntoBrestwiththeoldRedEnsignoverus——
Carryonandthrashheroutwithallshe’llstand！
Well，ahfareyouwell，andit’sUshantslamsthedooronus，Whirlinglikeawindmillthroughthedirtyscudtolee：
Tillthelast，lastflickergoesFromthetumblingwater—rows，Andwe’reofftoMotherCarey（WalkherdowntoMotherCarey！），Oh，we’reboundforMotherCareywhereshefeedsherchicksatsea！
THELOSTLEGION
There’saLegionthatneverwas’listed，Thatcarriesnocoloursorcrest，But，splitinathousanddetachments，Isbreakingtheroadfortherest。
Ourfatherstheyleftustheirblessing——
Theytaughtus，andgroomedus，andcrammed;
Butwe’veshakentheClubsandtheMessesTogoandfindoutandbedamned（Dearboys！），Togoandgetshotandbedamned。
Sosomeofuschivytheslaver，Andsomeofuscherishtheblack，AndsomeofushuntontheOilCoast，Andsomeon——theWallabytrack：
AndsomeofusdrifttoSarawak，AndsomeofusdriftupTheFly，Andsomeshareourtuckerwithtigers，AndsomewiththegentleMasai（Dearboys！），TaketeawiththegiddyMasai。
We’vepaintedTheIslandsvermilion，We’vepearledonhalf—sharesintheBay，We’veshoutedonseven—ouncenuggets，We’vestarvedonaSeedeeboy’spay;
We’velaughedattheworldaswefoundit——
Itswomenandcitiesandmen——
FromSayyidBurgashinatantrumTothesmoke—reddenedeyesofLoben（Dearboys！），We’vealittleaccountwithLoben。
Theendso’theEarthwereourportion，Theoceanatlargewasourshare。
TherewasneveraskirmishtowindwardButtheLeaderlessLegionwasthere：
Yes，somehowandsomewhereandalwaysWewerefirstwhenthetroublebegan，Fromalottery—rowinManila，ToanI。D。B。raceonthePan（Dearboys！），WiththeMountedPoliceonthePan。
WepreachinadvanceoftheArmy，WeskirmishaheadoftheChurch，WithneveragunboattohelpusWhenwe’rescupperedandleftinthelurch。
Butweknowasthecartridgesfinish，Andwe’refiledonourlastlittleshelves，ThattheLegionthatneverwas’listedWillsendusasgoodasourselves（Goodmen！），Fivehundredasgoodasourselves。
Thenahealth（wemustdrinkitinwhispers）
Toourwhollyunauthorisedhorde——
Tothelineofourdustyforeloopers，TheGentlemenRoversabroad——
Yes，ahealthtoourselveserewescatter，Forthesteamerwon’twaitforthetrain，AndtheLegionthatneverwas’listedGoesbackintoquartersagain！
’Regards！
Goesbackundercanvasagain。
Hurrah！
Theswagandthebillyagain。
Here’show！
Thetrailandthepackhorseagain。
Salue！
Thetrekandthelaageragain。
THESEA—WIFE
TheredwellsawifebytheNorthernGate，Andawealthywifeisshe;
Shebreedsabreedo’rovin’menAndcaststhemoversea。
Andsomearedrownedindeepwater，Andsomeinsighto’shore，AndwordgoesbacktothewearywifeAndevershesendsmore。
Forsincethatwifehadgateorgear，Orhearthorgarthorbield，Shewilledhersonstothewhiteharvest，Andthatisabitteryield。
Shewillshersonstothewetploughing，Toridethehorseoftree，AndsynehersonscomebackagainFar—spentfromoutthesea。
Thegoodwife’ssonscomehomeagainWithlittleintotheirhands，Buttheloreofmenthatha’dealtwithmenInthenewandnakedlands;
Butthefaithofmenthatha’brotheredmenBymorethaneasybreath，Andtheeyeso’menthatha’readwi’menIntheopenbooksofdeath。
Richarethey，richinwondersseen，Butpoorinthegoodso’men;
Sowhattheyha’gotbytheskino’theirteethTheysellfortheirteethagain。
ForwhethertheylosetothenakedlifeOrwintotheirhearts’desire，TheytellitalltothewearywifeThatnodsbesidethefire。
HerhearthiswidetoeverywindThatmakesthewhiteashspin;
Andtideandtideand’tweenthetidesHersonsgooutandin;
（OutwithgreatmirththatdodesireHazardoftracklessways，InwithcontenttowaittheirwatchAndwarmbeforetheblaze）;
Andsomereturnbyfailinglight，Andsomeinwakingdream，ForshehearstheheelsofthedrippingghostsThatridetheroughroof—beam。
Home，theycomehomefromalltheports，Thelivingandthedead;
Thegoodwife’ssonscomehomeagainForherblessingontheirhead！
HYMNBEFOREACTION
Theearthisfullofanger，Theseasaredarkwithwrath，TheNationsintheirharnessGoupagainstourpath：
Ereyetweloosethelegions——
Ereyetwedrawtheblade，JehovahoftheThunders，LordGodofBattles，aid！
Highlustandfrowardbearing，Proudheart，rebelliousbrow——
Deafearandsouluncaring，WeseekThymercynow！
ThesinnerthatforsworeThee，ThefoolthatpassedTheeby，OurtimesareknownbeforeThee——
Lord，grantusstrengthtodie！
ForthosewhokneelbesideusAtaltarsnotThineown，Wholackthelightsthatguideus，Lord，lettheirfaithatone。
Ifwrongwedidtocallthem，Byhonourboundtheycame;
LetnotThyWrathbefallthem，Butdealtoustheblame。
Frompanic，pride，andterror，Revengethatknowsnorein，Lighthasteandlawlesserror，Protectusyetagain。
CloakThouourundeserving，Makefirmtheshudderingbreath，InsilenceandunswervingTotasteThylesserdeath！
Ah，Marypiercedwithsorrow，Remember，reachandsaveThesoulthatcomesto—morrowBeforetheGodthatgave！
Sinceeachwasbornofwoman，Foreachatutterneed——
Truecomradeandtruefoeman——
Madonna，intercede！
E’ennowtheirvanguardgathers，E’ennowwefacethefray——
AsThoudidsthelpourfathers，HelpThouourhostto—day！
Fulfilledofsignsandwonders，Inlife，indeathmadeclear——
JehovahoftheThunders，LordGodofBattles，hear！
TOTHETRUEROMANCE
Thyfaceisfarfromthisourwar，Ourcallandcounter—cry，IshallnotfindTheequickandkind，NorknowTheetillIdie，EnoughformeindreamstoseeAndtouchThygarments’hem：
ThyfeethavetrodsoneartoGodImaynotfollowthem。
ThroughwantonnessifmenprofessTheywearyofThyparts，E’enletthemdieatblasphemyAndperishwiththeirarts;
Butwethatlove，butwethatproveThineexcellenceaugust，WhileweadorediscovermoreTheeperfect，wise，andjust。
SincespokenwordMan’sSpiritstirredBeyondhisbelly—need，WhatisisThineoffairdesignInthoughtandcraftanddeed;
Eachstrokearightoftoilandfight，Thatwasandthatshallbe，Andhopetoohigh，whereforewedie，HasbirthandworthinThee。
WhoholdsbyTheehathHeaveninfeeTogildhisdrossthereby，AndknowledgesurethatheendureAchilduntilhedie——
Fortomakeplainthatman’sdisdainIsbutnewBeauty’sbirth——
FortopossessinlonelinessThejoyofalltheearth。
AsThoudidstteachallloversspeechAndLifeallmystery，SoshaltThourulebyeveryschoolTillloveandlongingdie，WhowastoryettheLightswereset，AwhisperintheVoid，WhoshaltbesungthroughplanetsyoungWhenthisiscleandestroyed。
Beyondtheboundsourstaringrounds，Acrossthepressingdark，ThechildrenwiseofouterskiesLookhitherwardandmarkAlightthatshifts，aglarethatdrifts，Rekindlingthusandthus，Notallforlorn，forThouhastborneStrangetalestothemofus。
TimehathnotidebutmustabideTheservantofThywill;
Tidehathnotime，fortoThyrhymeTherangingstarsstandstill——
Regentofspheresthatlockourfears，Ourhopesinvisible，Oh’twascertesatThydecreesWefashionedHeavenandHell！
PureWisdomhathnocertainpathThatlacksthymorning—eyne，AndcaptainsboldbyTheecontrolledMostliketoGodsdesign;
ThouarttheVoicetokinglyboysToliftthemthroughthefight，AndComfortressofUnsuccess，Togivethedeadgood—night——
Aveiltodraw’twixtGodHisLawAndMan’sinfirmity，AshadowkindtodumbandblindTheshambleswherewedie;
Aruletotrickth’arithmeticToobaseofleaguingodds——
Thespuroftrust，thecurboflust，ThouhandmaidoftheGods！
OCharity，allpatientlyAbidingwrackandscaith！
OFaith，thatmeetstenthousandcheatsYetdropsnojotoffaith！
DevilandbruteThoudosttransmuteTohigher，lordliershow，WhoartinsooththatlovelyTruthThecarelessangelsknow！
Thyfaceisfarfromthisourwar，Ourcallandcounter—cry，ImaynotfindTheequickandkind，NorknowTheetillIdie。
YetmayIlookwithheartunshookOnblowbroughthomeormissed——
YetmayIhearwithequalearTheclarionsdowntheList;
YetsetmylanceabovemischanceAndridethebarriere——
Oh，hitormiss，howlittle’tis，MyLadyisnotthere！
THEFLOWERS
Toourprivatetaste，thereisalwayssomethingalittleexotic，almostartificial，insongswhich，underanEnglishaspectanddress，areyetsomanifestlytheproductofotherskies。Theyaffectusliketranslations;theveryfaunaandfloraarealien，remote;
thedog’s—toothvioletisbutanillsubstitutefortheratheprimrose，norcanweeverbelievethatthewood—robinsingsassweetlyinAprilastheEnglishthrush。——THEATHEN]AEUM。
BuymyEnglishposies！
KentandSurreymay——
VioletsoftheUndercliffWetwithChannelspray;
CowslipsfromaDevoncombe——
Midlandfurzeafire——
BuymyEnglishposiesAndI’llsellyourheart’sdesire！
BuymyEnglishposies！
YouthatscorntheMay，Won’tyougreetafriendfromhomeHalftheworldaway？
Greenagainstthedraggleddrift，Faintandfrailandfirst——
BuymyNorthernblood—rootAndI’llknowwhereyouwerenursed：
Robindownthelogging—roadwhistles，\"Cometome！\"
Springhasfoundthemaple—grove，thesapisrunningfree;
AllthewindsofCanadacalltheploughing—rain。
Taketheflowerandturnthehour，andkissyourloveagain！
BuymyEnglishposies！
Here’stomatchyourneed——
Buyatuftofroyalheath，BuyabunchofweedWhiteassandofMuysenbergSpunbeforethegale——
BuymyheathandliliesAndI’lltellyouwhenceyouhail！
UnderhotConstantiabroadthevineyardslie——
Thronedandthornedtheachingbergpropsthespecklesssky——
SlowbelowtheWynbergfirstrailsthetiltedwain——
Taketheflowerandturnthehour，andkissyourloveagain！
BuymyEnglishposies！
Youthatwillnotturn——
Buymyhot—woodclematis，Buyafrondo’fernGatheredwheretheErskineleapsDowntheroadtoLorne——
BuymyChristmascreeperAndI’llsaywhereyouwereborn！
WestawayfromMelbournedustholidaysbegin——
TheythatmockatParadisewooatCoraLynn——
ThroughthegreatSouthOtwaygumssingsthegreatSouthMain——
Taketheflowerandturnthehour，andkissyourloveagain！
BuymyEnglishposies！
Here’syourchoiceunsold！
Buyablood—redmyrtle—bloom，Buythekowhai’sgoldFlungforgiftonTaupo’sface，Signthatspringiscome——
BuymyclingingmyrtleAndI’llgiveyoubackyourhome！
Broombehindthewindytown;polleno’thepine——
Bell—birdintheleafydeepwherethe~ratas~twine——
Fernabovethesaddle—bow，flaxupontheplain——
Taketheflowerandturnthehour，andkissyourloveagain！
BuymyEnglishposies！
YethathaveyourownBuythemforabrother’ssakeOverseas，alone。
WeedyetrampleunderfootFloodshisheartabrim——
Birdyeneverheeded，Oh，shecallshisdeadtohim！
FarandfarourhomesaresetroundtheSevenSeas;
Woeforusifweforget，wethatholdbythese！
Untoeachhismother—beach，bloomandbirdandland——
MastersoftheSevenSeas，oh，loveandunderstand。
THELASTRHYMEOFTRUETHOMAS
TheKinghascalledforpriestandcup，TheKinghastakenspurandbladeTodubTrueThomasabeltedknight，Andallforthesakeo’thesongshemade。
Theyhavesoughthimhigh，theyhavesoughthimlow，Theyhavesoughthimoverdownandlea;
Theyhavefoundhimbythemilk—whitethornThatguardsthegateso’Faerie。
’Twasbentbeneathandblueabove，TheireyeswereheldthattheymightnotseeThekinethatgrazedbeneaththeknowes，Oh，theyweretheQueenso’Faerie！
\"Nowceaseyoursong，\"theKinghesaid，\"Oh，ceaseyoursongandgetyoudightTovowyourvowandwatchyourarms，ForIwilldubyouabeltedknight。
\"ForIwillgiveyouahorseo’pride，Wi’blazonandspurandpageandsquire;
Wi’keepandtailandseizinandlaw，Andlandtoholdatyourdesire。\"
TrueThomassmiledabovehisharp，Andturnedhisfacetothenakedsky，Where，blownbeforethewastrelwind，Thethistle—downshefloatedby。
\"Iha’vowedmyvowinanotherplace，Andbitteroathitwasonme，Iha’watchedmyarmsthelee—longnight，Wherefive—scorefightingmenwouldflee。
\"Mylanceistippedo’thehammeredflame，Myshieldisbeato’themoonlightcold;
AndIwonmyspursintheMiddleWorld，Athousandfathombeneaththemould。
\"AndwhatshouldImakewi’ahorseo’pride，AndwhatshouldImakewi’aswordsobrown，Butspilltheringso’theGentleFolkAndflytemykinintheFairyTown？
\"AndwhatshouldImakewi’blazonandbelt，Wi’keepandtailandseizinandfee，AndwhatshouldIdowi’pageandsquireThatamakinginmyowncountrie？
\"ForIsendeastandIsendwest，AndIsendfarasmywillmayflee，Bydawnandduskandthedrinkingrain，AndsynemySendingsreturntome。
\"Theycomewi’newsofthegroanin’earth，Theycomewi’newso’theroarin’sea，Wi’wordofSpiritandGhostandFlesh，Andman，that’smazedamongthethree。\"
TheKinghebithisnetherlip，Andsmotehishanduponhisknee：
\"Bythefaitho’mysoul，TrueThomas，\"hesaid，\"Yewastenowitincourtesie！
\"AsIdesire，untomypride，CanImakeEarlsbythreeandthree，TorunbeforeandridebehindAndservethesonso’mybody。\"
\"AndwhatcareIforyourrow—footearls，Orallthesonso’yourbody？
BeforetheywintothePrideo’Name，Itrowtheyallaskleaveo’me。
\"ForImakeHonourwi’mucklemouth，AsImakeShamewi’mincin’feet，Tosingwi’thepriestsatthemarket—cross，Orrunwi’thedogsinthenakedstreet。
\"Andsometheygivemethegoodredgold，Andsometheygivemethewhitemoney，Andsometheygivemeaclouto’meal，Fortheybepeopleo’lowdegree。
\"AndthesongIsingforthecountedgoldThesameIsingforthewhitemoney，ButbestIsingfortheclouto’mealThatsimplepeoplegivenme。\"
TheKingcastdownasilvergroat，Asilvergroato’Scotsmoney，\"IfIcomewi’apoorman’sdole，\"hesaid，\"TrueThomas，willyeharptome？\"
\"WhenasIharptothechildrensmall，Theypressmecloseoneitherhand。
Andwhoareyou，\"TrueThomassaid，\"Thatyoushouldridewhiletheymuststand？
\"Lightdown，lightdownfromyourhorseo’pride，Itrowyetalktooloudandhie，AndIwillmakeyouatripleword，Andsyne，ifyedare，yeshall’nobleme。\"
Hehaslighteddownfromhishorseo’pride，Andsethisbackagainstthestone。
\"Nowguardyouwell，\"TrueThomassaid，\"EreIraxyourheartfromyourbreast—bone！\"
TrueThomasplayeduponhisharp，Thefairyharpthatcouldnalee，AndthefirstleastwordtheproudKingheard，Itharpitthesalttearouto’hisee。
\"Oh，IseethelovethatIlostlongsyne，ItouchthehopethatImaynotsee，AndallthatIdido’hiddenshame，Likelittlesnakestheyhissatme。
\"Thesunislostatnoon——atnoon！
Thedreado’doomhasgrippitme。
TrueThomas，hidemeunderyourcloak，Godwot，I’mlittlefittodee！\"
’Twasbentbeneathandblueabove——
’Twasopenfieldandrunningflood——
Where，hotonheathanddikeandwall，Thehighsunwarmedtheadder’sbrood。
\"Liedown，liedown，\"TrueThomassaid。
\"TheGodshalljudgewhenallisdone。
ButIwillbringyouabetterwordAndliftthecloudthatIlaidon。\"
TrueThomasplayeduponhisharp，Thatbirledandbrattledtohishand，AndthenextleastwordTrueThomasmade，ItgarredtheKingtakehorseandbrand。
\"Oh，Ihearthetreado’thefightingmen，Iseethesunonsplentandspear。
ImarkthearrowoutenthefernThatfliessolowandsingssoclear！
\"Advancemystandardstothatwar，Andbidmygoodknightsprickandride;
ThegledshallwatchasfierceafightAse’erwasfoughtontheBorderside！\"
’Twasbentbeneathandblueabove，’Twasnoddinggrassandnakedsky，Where，ringingupthewastrelwind，Theeyasstoopeduponthepie。
TrueThomassighedabovehisharp，Andturnedthesongonthemidmoststring;
AndthelastleastwordTrueThomasmade，HeharpithisdeadyouthbacktotheKing。
\"NowIamprince，andIdowellTolovemylovewithoutenfear;
Towalkwi’maninfellowship，Andbreathemyhorsebehindthedeer。
\"Myhoundstheybayuntothedeath，Thebuckhascouchedbeyondtheburn，MyloveshewaitsatherwindowTowashmyhandswhenIreturn。
\"ForthatIliveamIcontent（Oh！Ihaveseenmytruelove’seyes）
Tostandwi’AdaminEden—glade，Andruninthewoodso’Paradise！\"
’Twasnakedskyandnoddinggrass，’Twasrunningfloodandwastrelwind，Where，checkedagainsttheopenpass，Thereddeerbelledtocallthehind。
TrueThomaslaidhisharpaway，Andloutedlowatthesaddle—side;
Hehastakenstirrupandhaudenrein，AndsettheKingonhishorseo’pride。
\"Sleepyeorwake，\"TrueThomassaid，\"Thatsitsostill，thatmusesolong;
Sleepyeorwake？——tillthelattersleepItrowye’llnotforgetmysong。
\"Iha’harpitashadowouto’thesunTostandbeforeyourfaceandcry;
Iha’armedtheearthbeneathyourheel，AndoveryourheadIha’duskedthesky。
\"Iha’harpityeuptothethroneo’God，Iha’harpityourmidmostsoulinthree;
Iha’harpityedowntotheHingeso’Hell，And——ye——would——make——aKnighto’me！\"
INTHENEOLITHICAGE
IntheNeolithicAgesavagewarfaredidIwageForfoodandfameandwoollyhorses’pelt;
Iwassingertomyclaninthatdim，redDawnofMan，AndIsangofallwefoughtandfearedandfelt。
Yea，IsangasnowIsing，whenthePrehistoricspringMadethepiledBiscayanice—packsplitandshove;
Andthetrollandgnomeanddwerg，andtheGodsofCliffandBergWereaboutmeandbeneathmeandabove。
Butarival，ofSolutr]/e，toldthetribemystylewas~outr]/e~——
’Neathatomahawkofdioritehefell。
AndIleftmyviewsonArt，barbedandtanged，belowtheheartOfamammothisticetcheratGrenelle。
ThenIstrippedthem，scalpfromskull，andmyhuntingdogsfedfull，AndtheirteethIthreadedneatlyonathong;
AndIwipedmymouthandsaid，\"Itiswellthattheyaredead，ForIknowmyworkisrightandtheirswaswrong。\"
ButmyTotemsawtheshame;fromhisridgepoleshrinehecame，Andhetoldmeinavisionofthenight：——
\"Therearenineandsixtywaysofconstructingtriballays，Andeverysingleoneofthemisright！\"……
ThenthesilencecloseduponmetillTheyputnewclothingonmeOfwhiter，weakerfleshandbonemorefrail;
AndIsteppedbeneathTime’sfinger，onceagainatribalsinger[AndaminorpoetcertifiedbyTr——ll]。
Stilltheyskirmishtoandfro，menmymessmatesonthesnow，Whenweheadedofftheaurochsturnforturn;
WhentherichAllobrogensesneverkeptamanuenses，AndouronlyplotswerepiledinlakesatBerne。
StillaculturedChristianageseesusscuffle，squeak，andrage，Stillwepinchandslapandjabber，scratchanddirk;
Stillweletourbusinessslide——aswedroppedthehalf—dressedhide——
Toshowafellow—savagehowtowork。
Stilltheworldiswondrouslarge，——sevenseasfrommargetomarge，——
Anditholdsavastofvariouskindsofman;
AndthewildestdreamsofKewarethefactsofKhatmandhu，AndthecrimesofClaphamchasteinMartaban。
Here’smywisdomforyouruse，asIlearneditwhenthemooseAndthereindeerroaredwhereParisroarsto—night：——
Therearenineandsixtywaysofconstructingtriballays，And——every——single——one——of——them——is——right！
THESTORYOFUNG
Once，onaglitteringice—field，agesandagesago，Ung，amakerofpictures，fashionedanimageofsnow。
Fashionedtheformofatribesman——gailyhewhistledandsung，Workingthesnowwithhisfingers。~ReadyetheStoryofUng！~
Pleasedwashistribewiththatimage——cameintheirhundredstoscan——
Handledit，smeltit，andgrunted：\"Verily，thisisaman！
Thusdowecarryourlances——thusisawar—beltslung。
Lo！itisevenasweare。GloryandhonourtoUng！\"
Laterhepicturedanaurochs——laterhepicturedabear——
Picturedthesabre—toothtigerdraggingamantohislair——
Picturedthemountainousmammoth，hairy，abhorrent，alone——
Outofthelovethatheborethem，scribingthemclearlyonbone。
Swiftcamethetribetobeholdthem，peeringandpushingandstill——
Menoftheberg—batteredbeaches，menoftheboulder—hatchedhill——
Huntersandfishersandtrappers，presentlywhisperinglow：
\"Yea，theyarelike——anditmaybe——ButhowdoesthePicture—manknow？\"
\"Ung——hathhesleptwiththeAurochs——watchedwheretheMastodonroam？
SpokeontheicewiththeBow—head——followedtheSabre—toothhome？
Nay！Thesearetoysofhisfancy！Ifhehavecheatedusso，Howistheretruthinhisimage——themanthathefashionedofsnow？\"
Wrothwasthatmakerofpictures——hotlyheansweredthecall：
\"Huntersandfishersandtrappers，childrenandfoolsareyeall！
Lookatthebeastswhenyehuntthem！\"Swiftfromthetumulthebroke，Rantothecaveofhisfatherandtoldhimtheshamethattheyspoke。
AndthefatherofUnggaveanswer，thatwasoldandwiseinthecraft，Makerofpicturesaforetime，heleanedonhislanceandlaughed：
\"Iftheycouldseeasthouseesttheywoulddowhatthouhastdone，Andeachmanwouldmakehimapicture，and——whatwouldbecomeofmyson？
\"Therewouldbenopeltsofthereindeer，flungdownatthycaveforagift，NordoleoftheoilytimberthatcomesontheBalticdrift;
Nostoreofwell—drilledneedles，norouchesofamberpale;
Nonew—cuttonguesofthebison，normeatofthestrandedwhale。
\"~Thou~hastnottoiledatthefishingwhenthesoddentrammelsfreeze，Norworkedthewar—boatsoutwardthroughtherushoftherock—stakedseas，Yettheybringtheefishandplunder——fullmealandaneasybed——
Andallforthesakeofthypictures。\"AndUnghelddownhishead。
\"~Thou~hastnotstoodtotheAurochswhentheredsnowreeksofthefight;
Menhavenotimeatthehoughingtocounthiscurlsaright。
AndtheheartofthehairyMammoth，thousayest，theydonotsee，Yettheysaveitwholefromthebeachesandbroilthebestforthee。
\"Andnowdotheypresstothypictures，withopenedmouthandeye，Andalittlegiftinthedoorway，andthepraisenogiftcanbuy：
But——suretheyhavedoubtedthypictures，andthatisagrievousstain——
Sonthatcanseesoclearly，returnthemtheirgiftsagain！\"
AndUnglookeddownathisdeerskins——theirbroadshell—tasselledbands——
AndUngdrewdownwardhismittenandlookedathisnakedhands;
Andheglovedhimselfanddeparted，andheheardhisfather，behind：
\"Sonthatcanseesoclearly，rejoicethatthytribeisblind！\"
Straightontheglitteringice—field，bythecavesofthelostDordogne，Ung，amakerofpictures，felltohisscribingonboneEventomammotheditions。Gailyhewhistledandsung，Blessinghistribefortheirblindness。~HeedyetheStoryofUng！~
THETHREE—DECKER
\"~Thethree—volumenovelisextinct。~\"
Fullthirtyfootshetoweredfromwaterlinetorail。
Itcostawatchtosteerher，andaweektoshortensail;
But，spiteallmodernnotions，Ifoundherfirstandbest——
TheonlycertainpacketfortheIslandsoftheBlest。
Fairheldthebreezebehindus——’twaswarmwithlovers’prayers。
We’dstolenwillsforballastandacrewofmissingheirs。
TheyshippedasAbleBastardstilltheWickedNurseconfessed，Andtheyworkedtheoldthree—deckertotheIslandsoftheBlest。
Bywaysnogazecouldfollow，acourseunspoiledofCook，PerFancy，fleetestinman，ourtitledberthswetookWithmaidsofmatchlessbeautyandparentageunguessed，AndaChurchofEnglandparsonfortheIslandsoftheBlest。
Weaskednosocialquestions——wepumpednohiddenshame——
WenevertalkedobstetricswhentheLittleStrangercame：
WelefttheLordinHeaven，weleftthefiendsinHell。
Weweren’texactlyYussufs，but——Zuleikadidn’ttell。
Nomoraldoubtassailedus，sowhentheportweneared，Thevillainhadhisfloggingatthegangway，andwecheered。
’Twasfiddleintheforc’s’le——’twasgarlandsonthemast，Foreveryonegotmarried，andIwentashoreatlast。
Ileft’emallincouplesa—kissingonthedecks。
Ilefttheloverslovingandtheparentssigningcheques。
InendlessEnglishcomfortbycounty—folkcaressed，Ilefttheoldthree—deckerattheIslandsoftheBlest！
Thatrouteisbarredtosteamers：you’llneverliftagainOurpurple—paintedheadlandsorthelordlykeepsofSpain。
They’rejustbeyondyourskyline，howe’ersofaryoucruiseInaram—you—damn—youlinerwithabraceofbuckingscrews。
Swingroundyourachingsearch—light——’twillshownohaven’speace。
Ay，blowyourshriekingsirenstothedeaf，gray—beardedseas！
Boomoutthedrippingoil—bagstoskinthedeep’sunrest——
Andyouaren’toneknotthenearertotheIslandsoftheBlest！
Butwhenyou’rethreshing，crippled，withbrokenbridgeandrail，Atadrogueofdeadconvictionstoholdyouheadtogale，CalmastheFlyingDutchman，fromtrucktotaffraildressed，You’llseetheoldthree—deckerfortheIslandsoftheBlest。
You’llseehertieringcanvasinsheetedsilverspread;
You’llhearthelong—drawnthunder’neathherleapingfigure—head;
Whilefar，sofaraboveyou，hertallpoop—lanternsshineUnvexedbywindorweatherlikethecandlesroundashrine！
Hulldown——hulldownandunder——shedwindlestoaspeck，Withnoiseofpleasantmusicanddancingonherdeck。
All’swell——all’swellaboardher——she’sleftyoufarbehind，Withascentofold—worldrosesthroughthefogthattiesyoublind。
Hercrewarebabesormadmen？Herportisalltomake？
You’remannedbyTruthandScience，andyousteamforsteaming’ssake？
Well，tinkerupyourengines——youknowyourbusinessbest——
~She~’stakingtiredpeopletotheIslandsoftheBlest！
ANAMERICAN
TheAmericanSpiritspeaks：
\"IftheLedStrikercallitastrike，Orthepaperscallitawar，TheyknownotmuchwhatIamlike，Norwhatheis，myAvatar。\"
Throughmanyroads，bymepossessed，Heshamblesforthincosmicguise;
HeistheJesterandtheJest，AndhetheTexthimselfapplies。
TheCeltisinhisheartandhand，TheGaulisinhisbrainandnerve;
Where，cosmopolitanlyplanned，HeguardstheRedskin’sdryreserve。
HiseasyunswepthearthhelendsFromLabradortoGuadeloupe;
Till，elbowedoutbyslovenfriends，Hecamps，atsufferance，onthestoop。
Calm—eyedhescoffsatswordandcrown，Orpanic—blindedstabsandslays：
Blatanthebidstheworldbowdown，Orcringingbegsacrustofpraise;
Or，sombre—drunk，atmineandmart，HedubshisdrearybrethrenKings。
Hishandsareblackwithblood——hisheartLeaps，asababe’s，atlittlethings。
But，throughtheshiftofmoodandmood，Mineancienthumoursaveshimwhole——
ThecynicdevilinhisbloodThatbidshimmockhishurryingsoul;
ThatbidshimflouttheLawhemakes，ThatbidshimmaketheLawheflouts，Till，dazedbymanydoubts，hewakesThedrumminggunsthat——havenodoubts;
Thatcheckshimfoolish——hotandfond，Thatchucklesthroughhisdeepestire，ThatgildsthesloughofhisdespondButdimsthegoalofhisdesire;
Inopportune，shrill—accented，TheacridAsiaticmirthThatleaveshim，careless’midhisdead，Thescandaloftheelderearth。
Howshallheclearhimself，howreachYourbarorweigheddefenceprefer？
AbrotherhedgedwithalienspeechAndlackingallinterpreter。
Whichknowledgevexeshimaspace;
ButwhileReproofaroundhimrings，HeturnsakeenuntroubledfaceHome，totheinstantneedofthings。
Enslaved，illogical，elate，Hegreetsth’embarrassedGods，norfearsToshaketheironhandofFateOrmatchwithDestinyforbeers。
Lo，imperturbableherules，Unkempt，disreputable，vast——
And，intheteethofalltheschools，I——Ishallsavehimatthelast！
THE\"MARYGLOSTER\"
I’vepaidforyoursickestfancies;I’vehumouredyourcrackedestwhim——
Dick，it’syourdaddy，dying;you’vegottolistentohim！
Goodforafortnight，amI？Thedoctortoldyou？Helied。
Ishallgounderbymorning，and——Putthatnurseoutside。
’Neverseendeathyet，Dickie？Well，nowisyourtimetolearn，Andyou’llwishyouheldmyrecordbeforeitcomestoyourturn。
NotcountingtheLineandtheFoundry，theyardsandthevillage，too，I’vemademyselfandamillion;butI’mdamnedifImadeyou。
Masterattwo—and—twenty，andmarriedattwenty—three——
Tenthousandmenonthepay—roll，andfortyfreightersatsea！
Fiftyyearsbetween’em，andeveryyearofitfight，AndnowI’mSirAnthonyGloster，dying，abaronite：
ForIlunchedwithhisRoyal’Ighness——whatwasitthepapersa—had？
\"Notleastofourmerchant—princes。\"Dickie，that’sme，yourdad！
~I~didn’tbeginwithaskings。~I~tookmyjobandIstuck;
AndItookthechancestheywouldn’t，an’nowthey’recallingitluck。
Lord，whatboatsI’vehandled——rottenandleakyandold！
Ran’em，or——openedthebilge—cock，preciselyasIwastold。
Grubthat’udbindyoucrazy，andcrewsthat’udturnyougrey，Andabigfatlumpofinsurancetocovertheriskontheway。
Theotherstheydursn’tdoit;theysaidtheyvaluedtheirlife（They’veservedmesinceasskippers）。~I~went，andItookmywife。
OvertheworldIdrove’em，marriedattwenty—three，Andyourmothersavingthemoneyandmakingamanofme。
~I~wascontenttobemaster，butshesaidtherewasbetterbehind;
ShetookthechancesIwouldn’t，andIfollowedyourmotherblind。
Sheeggedmetoborrowthemoney，an’shehelpedmetocleartheloan，Whenweboughthalfsharesinacheap’unandhoistedaflagofourown。
Patchingandcoalingoncredit，andlivingtheLordknewhow，WestartedtheRedOxfreighters——we’veeight—and—thirtynow。
Andthosewerethedaysofclippers，andthefreightswereclipper—freights，Andweknewweweremakingourfortune，butshediedinMacassarStraits——
BytheLittlePaternosters，asyoucometotheUnionBank——
Andwedroppedherinfourteenfathom;Iprickeditoffwhereshesank。
Ownerswewere，fullowners，andtheboatwaschristenedforher，Andshediedinthe~MaryGloster~。Myheart，howyoungwewere！
SoIwentonaspreeroundJavaandwell—nighranherashore，ButyourmothercameandwarnedmeandIwouldn’tliquornomore：
StrictIstucktomybusiness，afraidtostoporI’dthink，Savingthemoney（shewarnedme），andlettingtheothermendrink。
AndImetM’CulloughinLondon（I’dturnedfive’undredthen），And’tweenuswestartedtheFoundry——threeforgesandtwentymen：
Cheaprepairsforthecheap’uns。Itpaid，andthebusinessgrew，ForIboughtmeasteam—lathepatent，andthatwasagoldminetoo。
\"Cheapertobuild’emthanbuy’em，\"~I~said，butM’Culloughheshied，AndwewastedayearintalkingbeforewemovedtotheClyde。
AndtheLineswereallbeginning，andweallofusstartedfair，Buildingourengineslikehousesandstayingtheboilerssquare。
ButM’Cullough’ewantedcabinswithmarbleandmapleandall，AndBrusselsan’Utrechtvelvet，andbathsandaSocialHall，Andpipesforclosetsallover，andcuttingtheframestoolight，ButM’CulloughhediedintheSixties，and——Well，I’mdyingto—night……
Iknew——~I~knewwhatwascoming，whenwebidonthe~Byfleet~’skeel——
Theypiddledandpiffledwithiron：I’dgivenmyordersforsteel！
Steelandthefirstexpansions。Itpaid，Itellyou，itpaid，Whenwecamewithournine—knotfreightersandcollaredthelong—runtrade！
AndtheyaskedmehowIdidit，andIgave’emtheScripturetext，\"Youkeepyourlightsoshiningalittleinfronto’thenext！\"
Theycopiedalltheycouldfollow，buttheycouldn’tcopymymind，AndIleft’emsweatingandstealingayearandahalfbehind。
Thencamethearmour—contracts，butthatwasM’Cullough’sside;
HewasalwaysbestintheFoundry，butbetter，perhaps，hedied。
Iwentthroughhisprivatepapers;thenoteswasplainerthanprint;
AndI’mnofooltofinishifaman’llgivemeahint。
（Irememberhiswidowwasangry。）SoIsawwhatthedrawingsmeant，AndIstartedthesix—inchrollers，anditpaidmesixtypercent——
Sixtypercent~with~failures，andmorethantwicewecoulddo，Andaquarter—milliontocredit，andIsaveditallforyou！
Ithought——itdoesn’tmatter——youseemedtofavouryourma，Butyou’renearerfortythanthirty，andIknowthekindyouare。
Harreran’TrinityCollege！Ioughttoha’sentyoutosea——
ButIstoodyouaneducation，an’whathaveyoudoneforme？
ThethingsIknewwasproperyouwouldn’tthankmetogive，AndthethingsIknewwasrottenyousaidwasthewaytolive。
Foryoumuddledwithbooksandpictures，an’chinaan’etchin’san’fans，Andyourroomsatcollegewasbeastly——morelikeawhore’sthanaman’s——
Tillyoumarriedthatthin—flankedwoman，aswhiteandasstaleasabone，An’shegaveyouyoursocialnonsense;butwhere’sthatkido’yourown？
I’veseenyourcarriagesblockingthehalfo’theCromwellRoad，Butneverthedoctor’sbroughamtohelpthemissusunload。
（Sothereisn’tevenagrandchild，an’theGlosterfamily’sdone。）
Notlikeyourmother，sheisn’t。~She~carriedherfreighteachrun。
Buttheydied，theporelittlebeggars！Atseashehad’em——theydied。
Onlyyou，an’youstoodit;youhaven’tstoodmuchbeside。
Weak，aliar，andidle，andmeanasacollier’swhelpNosingforscrapsinthegalley。Nohelp——mysonwasnohelp！
Sohegetsthree’undredthousand，intrustandtheinterestpaid。
Iwouldn’tgiveityou，Dickie——yousee，Imadeitintrade。
You’resavedfromsoilingyourfingers，andifyouhavenochild，Itallcomesbacktothebusiness。Gad，won’tyourwifebewild！
’Callsandcallsinhercarriage，her’andkerchiefupto’ereye：
\"Daddy！deardaddy’sdyin’！\"anddoingherbesttocry。
Grateful？Oh，yes，I’mgrateful，butkeepherawayfromhere。
Yourmother’udneverha’stood’er，and，anyhow，womenarequeer……
There’swomenwillsayI’vemarriedasecondtime。
Notquite！ButgiveporeAggieahundred，andtellheryourlawyers’llfight。
Shewasthebesto’theboiling——you’llmeetherbeforeitends;
I’minforarowwiththemother——I’llleaveyousettlemyfriends：
Foramanhemustgowithawoman，whichwomendon’tunderstand——
Orthesortthatsaytheycanseeittheyaren’tthemarryingbrand。
ButIwantedtospeako’yourmotherthat’sLadyGlosterstill——
I’mgoingtoupandseeher，withoutit’shurtingthewill。
Here！Takeyourhandoffthebell—pull。Fivethousand’swaitingforyou，Ifyou’llonlylistenaminute，anddoasIbidyoudo。
They’lltrytoprovemecrazy，and，ifyoubungle，theycan;
AndI’veonlyyoutotrustto！（OGod，whyain’theaman？）
There’ssomewastemoneyonmarbles，thesameasM’Culloughtried——
Marblesandmausoleums——butIcallthatsinfulpride。
There’ssomeshipbodiesforburial——we’vecarried’em，solderedandpacked;
Downintheirwillstheywroteit，andnobodycalled~them~cracked。
Butme——I’vetoomuchmoney，andpeoplemight……Allmyfault：
Itcomeo’hopingforgrandsonsandbuyingthatWokin’vault。
I’msicko’the’oledam’business;I’mgoingbackwhereIcame。
Dick，you’rethesono’mybody，andyou’lltakechargeo’thesame！
Iwanttoliebyyourmother，tenthousandmileaway，Andthey’llwanttosendmetoWoking;andthat’swhereyou’llearnyourpay。
I’vethoughtitoutonthequiet，thesameasitoughttobedone——
Quiet，anddecent，andproper——an’here’syourorders，myson。
YouknowtheLine？Youdon’t，though。YouwritetotheBoard，andtellYourfather’sdeathhasupsetyouan’you’regoin’tocruiseforaspell，An’you’dlikethe~MaryGloster~——I’veheldherreadyforthis——
They’llputherinworkingorderandyou’lltakeheroutassheis。
Yes，itwasmoneyidlewhenIpatchedherandputheraside（ThankGod，Icanpayformyfancies！）——theboatwhereyourmotherdied，BytheLittlePaternosters，asyoucometotheUnionBank，Wedroppedher——IthinkItoldyou——andIprickeditoffwhereshesank——
[’Tinyshelookedonthegrating——thatoily，treaclysea——]
’HundredandeighteenEast，remember，andSouthjustthree。
Easybearingstocarry——threeSouth——threetothedot;
ButIgaveM’Andrewacopyincaseofdying——ornot。
Andsoyou’llwritetoM’Andrew，he’sChiefoftheMaoriLine;
They’llgivehimleave，ifyouask’emandsayit’sbusinesso’mine。
IbuiltthreeboatsfortheMaoris，an’verywellpleasedtheywere，An’I’veknownMacsincetheFifties，andMacknewme——andher。
AfterthefirststrokewarnedmeIsenthimthemoneytokeepAgainstthetimeyou’dclaimit，committin’yourdadtothedeep;
Foryouarethesono’mybody，andMacwasmyoldestfriend，I’veneverasked’imtodinner，buthe’llseeitouttotheend。
Stiff—neckedGlasgowbeggar，I’veheardhe’sprayedformysoul，Buthecouldn’tlieifyoupaidhim，andhe’dstarvebeforehestole！
He’lltakethe~Mary~inballast——you’llfindheralivelyship;
Andyou’lltakeSirAnthonyGloster，thatgoeson’iswedding—trip，Lashedinourolddeck—cabinwithallthreeport—holeswide，Thekicko’thescrewbeneathhimandtheroundblueseasoutside！
SirAnthonyGloster’scarriage——our’ouse—flagflyin’free——
Tenthousandmenonthepay—rollandfortyfreightersatsea！
Hemadehimselfandamillion，butthisworldisafleetin’show，Andhe’llgotothewifeof’isbosomthesameasheoughttogo——
BytheheelofthePaternosters——thereisn’tachancetomistake——
AndMac’llpayyouthemoneyassoonasthebubblesbreak！
Fivethousandforsixweeks’cruising，thestaunchestfreighterafloat，AndMache’llgiveyouyourbonustheminuteI’mouto’theboat！
He’lltakeyouroundtoMacassar，andyou’llcomebackalone;
HeknowswhatIwanto’the~Mary~……I’lldowhatIpleasewithmyown。
Yourmother’udcallitwasteful，butI’veseven—and—thirtymore;
I’llcomeinmyprivatecarriageandbiditwaitatthedoor……
Formyson’ewasneveracredit：’emuddledwithbooksandart，And’elivedonSirAnthony’smoneyand’ebrokeSirAnthony’sheart。
Thereisn’tevenagrandchild，andtheGlosterfamily’sdone——
Theonlyoneyouleftme，Omother，theonlyone！
HarrerandTrinityCollege——meslavin’earlyan’late——
An’hethinksI’mdyingcrazy，andyou’reinMacassarStrait！
Flesho’myflesh，mydearie，foreveran’everamen，Thatfirststrokecomeforawarning;Ioughttoha’gonetoyouthen，But——cheaprepairsforacheap’un——thedoctorssaidI’ddo：
Mary，whydidn’t~you~warnme？I’veallusheededtoyou，Excep’——Iknow——aboutwomen;butyouareaspiritnow;
An’，wife，theywasonlywomen，andIwasaman。That’show。
An’aman’emustgowithawoman，asyoucouldnotunderstand;
ButInevertalked’emsecrets。Ipaid’emouto’hand。
ThankGawd，Icanpayformyfancies！Nowwhat’sfivethousandtome，ForaberthoffthePaternostersinthehavenwhereIwouldbe？
~I~believeintheResurrection，ifIreadmyBibleplain，ButIwouldn’ttrust’ematWokin’;we’resaferatseaagain。
Fortheheartitshallgowiththetreasure——godowntotheseainships。
I’msickofthehiredwomen——I’llkissmygirlonherlips！
I’llbecontentwithmyfountain，I’lldrinkfrommyownwell，Andthewifeofmyyouthshallcharmme——an’therestcangotoHell！
（Dickie，~he~will，that’scertain。）I’lllieinourstandin’—bed，An’Mac’lltakeherinballast——an’shetrimsbestbythehead……
Downbytheheadan’sinkin’，herfiresaredrawnandcold，Andthewater’ssplashin’hollowontheskinoftheemptyhold——
Churningan’chokingandchuckling，quietandscummyanddark——
Fulltoherlowerhatchesandrisin’steady。Hark！
Thatwastheafter—bulkhead……She’sfloodedfromstemtostern……
Neverseendeathyet，Dickie？……Well，nowisyourtimetolearn！
SESTINAOFTHETRAMP—ROYAL
Speakin’ingeneral，I’avetried’emall，The’appyroadsthattakeyouo’ertheworld。
Speakin’ingeneral，I’avefoundthemgoodForsuchascannotuseonebedtoolong，Butmustget’ence，thesameasI’avedone，An’goobservin’matterstilltheydie。
Whatdoitmatterwhereor’owwedie，Solongaswe’veour’ealthtowatchitall——
Thedifferentwaysthatdifferentthingsaredone，An’menan’womenlovin’inthisworld——
Takin’ourchancesastheycomealong，An’whentheyain’t，pretendin’theyaregood？
Incashorcredit——no，itaren’tnogood;
You’aveto’avethe’abitoryou’ddie，Unlessyoulivedyourlifebutonedaylong，Nordidn’tprophesynorfretatall，Butdrewyourtuckersome’owfromtheworld，An’neverbotheredwhatyoumightha’done。
But，Gawd，whatthingsaretheyI’aven’tdone？
I’veturnedmy’andtomost，an’turneditgood，Invarioussituationsroundtheworld——
For’imthatdothnotworkmustsurelydie;
Butthat’snoreasonmanshouldlabourall’Islifeononesameshift;life’snonesolong。
Therefore，fromjobtojobI’vemovedalong。
