Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/183



ONG time ago, from Amsterdam a vessel sailed away,— As fair a ship as ever flung aside the laughing spray. Upon the shore were tearful eyes, and scarfs were in the air. As to her, o'er the Zuyder Zee, went fond adieu and prayer; And brave hearts, yearning shoreward from the outward-going ship, Felt lingering kisses clinging still to tear-wet cheek and lip. She Steered for some far eastern clime, and, as she skimmed the seas. Each taper mast was bending like a rod before the breeze.