SEALED ORDERS
"Oh, whither bound, my captain?
The wind is blowing free,
And overhead the white sails spread
As we go out to sea."
The wind is blowing free,
And overhead the white sails spread
As we go out to sea."
He looked to north, he looked to south,
Or ever a word he spake;
"With orders sealed my sails I set—
Due east my course I take."
Or ever a word he spake;
"With orders sealed my sails I set—
Due east my course I take."
"But to what port?" "Nay, nay," he cried,
"This only do I know,
That I must sail due eastward
Whatever wind may blow."
"This only do I know,
That I must sail due eastward
Whatever wind may blow."
For many a day we sailéd east.
"O captain, tell me true,
When will our good ship come to port?"
"I cannot answer you!"
"O captain, tell me true,
When will our good ship come to port?"
"I cannot answer you!"
"Then, prithee, gallant captain,
Let us but drift awhile!
The current setteth southward
Past many a sunny isle,
Let us but drift awhile!
The current setteth southward
Past many a sunny isle,
"Where cocoas grow, and mangoes,
And groves of feathery palm,
And nightingales sing all night long
To roses breathing balm."
And groves of feathery palm,
And nightingales sing all night long
To roses breathing balm."
