Longfellow's
"The Building of the ship"

Built for freight and yet for speed,
A beautiful and gallant craft;
Broad in the beam,
that the stress of the blast
Pressing down upon sail and mast,
Might not the sharp bows overwhelm;
Broad in the beam, but sloping aft
'With graceful curve and slow degrees,
That she might be docile to the helm,
And that the currents of passing seas,
Closing behind, with mighty force,
Might aid and not impede her course.

L L L

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 !
How beautiful she is ! How fair
She lies within those arms,
that press Her form with many a soft caress
of tenderness and watchful care !
Sail forth into the sea, 0 ship !
Through wind and wave, right onward steer.
The moistened eye, the trembling lip,
Are not the signs of doubt or fear.

From
Longfellow's
"The Building of the ship"

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