Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By WalterMitchell507 Tacking Ship off Shore
T
The bowlines strain, and the lee-shrouds slacken,
The braces are taut, the lithe boom quivers,
And the waves with the coming squall-cloud blacken.
Is the light-house tall on Fire Island Head.
There ’s a shade of doubt on the captain’s brow,
And the pilot watches the heaving lead.
To sea and to sky and to shore I gaze,
Till the muttered order of “Full and by!”
Is suddenly changed for “Full for stays!”
As her broadside fair to the blast she lays;
And she swifter springs to the rising seas,
As the pilot calls, “Stand by for stays!”
With the gathered coil in his hardened hands,
By tack and bowline, by sheet and brace,
Waiting the watchword impatient stands.
As, trumpet-winged, the pilot’s shout
From his post on the bowsprit’s heel I hear,
With the welcome call of “Ready! About!”
And the captain growls, “Down helm! hard down!”
As my weight on the whirling spokes I throw,
While heaven grows black with the storm-cloud’s frown.
As we meet the shock of the plunging sea;
And my shoulder stiff to the wheel I lay,
As I answer, “Ay, ay, sir! Ha-a-rd a-lee!”
The ship flies fast in the eye of the wind,
The dangerous shoals on the lee recede,
And the headland white we have left behind.
And belly and tug at the groaning cleats;
The spanker slats, and the mainsail flaps;
And thunders the order, “Tacks and sheets!”
Hisses the rain of the rushing squall:
The sails are aback from clew to clew,
And now is the moment for “Mainsail, haul!”
By fifty strong arms are swiftly swung:
She holds her way, and I look with joy
For the first white spray o’er the bulwarks flung.
And the head-sails fill to the blast once more:
Astern and to leeward lies the land,
With its breakers white on the shingly shore.
I steady the helm for the open sea;
The first mate clamors, “Belay, there, all!”
And the captain’s breath once more comes free.
Little care I how the gusts may blow,
In my fo’castle bunk, in a jacket dry.
Eight bells have struck, and my watch is below.