Augustin S. Macdonald, comp. A Collection of Verse by California Poets. 1914.
By Joaquin MillerColumbus
B
Behind the Gates of Hercules;
Before him on the ghost of shores,
Before him only shoreless seas.
The good mate said: “Now we must pray,
For lo, the very stars are gone.
Brave Adm’r’l speak; what shall I say?”
“Why say: ‘Sail on! sail on! sail on!’”
My men grow ghastly wan and weak.”
The stout mate thought of home; a spray
Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.
“What shall I say, brave Adm’r’l, say,
If we sight naught but seas at dawn!”
“Why you shall say at break of day:
‘Sail on! sail on! sail on! sail on!’”
Until at last the blanched mate said:
“Why, not even God would know
Should I and all my men fall dead.
These very winds forgot their way,
For God from these dread seas is gone,
Now speak, brave Adm’r’l; speak and say”—
He said: “Sail on! sail on! sail on!”
“This mad sea shows its teeth tonight.
He curls his lips, he lies in wait,
With lifted teeth, as if to bite!
Brave Adm’r’l, say but one good word;
What shall we do when hope is gone!”
The words leapt as a leaping sword:
“Sail on! sail on! sail on! sail on!”
And peered through darkness. Ah, that night
Of all dark nights! And then a speck—
A light! A light! A light! A light!
It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!
It grew to be Time’s burst of dawn.
He gained a world; he gave that world
Its grandest lesson: “On! sail on!”