All those secret currents, that flow With such resistless undertow, And lift and drift, with terrible force, The will from its moorings and its course. Therefore he spake, and thus said he : "Like unto ships far off at sea, Outward or homeward bound, are we. Floats and swings the horizon's bound, And climb the crystal wall of the skies, As if we could slide from its outer brink. Ah! it is not the sea, It is not the sea that sinks and shelves, But ourselves That rock and rise With endless and uneasy motion, Now touching the very skies, To the toil and the task we have to do, Then the Master, With a gesture of command, Waved his hand; And at the word, Loud and sudden there was heard, All around them and below, The sound of hammers, blow on blow, Knocking away the shores and spurs. And see! she stirs ! She starts, she moves, she seems to feel The thrill of life along her keel, And, spurning with her foot the ground, With one exulting, joyous bound, She leaps into the ocean's arms ! And lo! from the assembled crowd "Take her, O bridegroom, old and gray, Take her to thy protecting arms, With all her youth and all her charms !' How beautiful she is! How fair Sail forth into the sea, O ship! Through wind and wave, right onward steer The moistened eye, the trembling lip, Are not the signs of doubt or fear. Sail forth into the sea of life, O gentle, loving, trusting wife, Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State! We know what Master laid thy keel, Were shaped the anchors of thy hope! Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee, Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, Are all with thee, are all with thee! |