Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By John BoyleO’Reilly

923 At Best

THE FAITHFUL helm commands the keel,

From port to port fair breezes blow;

But the ship must sail the convex sea,

Nor may she straighter go.

So, man to man; in fair accord,

On thought and will the winds may wait;

But the world will bend the passing word,

Though its shortest course be straight.

From soul to soul the shortest line

At best will bended be:

The ship that holds the straightest course

Still sails the convex sea.