Poems . ! 124 THE SEASIDE AND THE FIRESIDE. Ah ! what a wondrous thing it is To note how many wheels of toil One thought, one word, can set in motion ! Theres not a ship that sails the ocean, But every climate, every soil, Must bring its tribute, great or small, And help to build the wooden wall! The sun was rising oer the sea,And long the level shadows lay,As if they, too, the beams would beOf some great airy argosy,Framed and launched in a single silent architect, the sun,Had hewn and laid them every one,Ere the work of man was yet the Master, when he spoke,A youth, aga
Poems . ! 124 THE SEASIDE AND THE FIRESIDE. Ah ! what a wondrous thing it is To note how many wheels of toil One thought, one word, can set in motion ! Theres not a ship that sails the ocean, But every climate, every soil, Must bring its tribute, great or small, And help to build the wooden wall! The sun was rising oer the sea,And long the level shadows lay,As if they, too, the beams would beOf some great airy argosy,Framed and launched in a single silent architect, the sun,Had hewn and laid them every one,Ere the work of man was yet the Master, when he spoke,A youth, against an anchor leaning,Listened to catch his slightest meaning,Only the long waves as they brokeIn ripples on the pebbly beach,Interrupted the old mans speech. Beautiful they were, in sooth,The old man and the fiery youth !The old man, in whose busy brainMany a ship that sailed the mainWas modelled oer and oer again;—The fiery youth, who was to beThe heir of his dexterity, THE BUILDING OF THE SHIP. 125. The heir of his house, and his daughters hand,When he had built and launched from landWhat the elder head had planned. Thus, said he, will we build this ship !Lay square the blocks upon the slip,And follow well this plan of the timbers with greatest care;Of all that is unsound beware ; 123 BY THE SEASIDE. For only what is sound and strong To this vessel shall belong. Cedar of Maine and Georgia pine Here together shall combine. A goodly frame, and a goodly fame, And the Union be her name! For the day that gives her to the sea Shall give my daughter unto thee! The Masters word Enraptured the young man heard ; And as he turned his face aside, With a look of joy and a thrill of pride, Standing before Her fathers door, He saw the form of his promised bride. The sun shone on her golden hair, And her cheek was glowing fresh and fair, With the breath of morn and the soft sea air Like a beauteous barge was she, Still at rest on the sandy beach, Just beyond the billows reach
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