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When the Great Gray Ships Come In
(NEW YORK HARBOR, AUGUST 2O, 1898)
TO eastward ringing, to westward winging, o'er mapless miles of sea,
On winds and tides the gospel rides that the furthermost isles are free ;
And the furthermost isles make answer, harbor, and height, and hill,
Breaker and beach cry, each to each, "'T is the Mother who calls! Be still!"
Mother! new-found, beloved, and strong to hold from harm,
Stretching to these across the seas the shield of her sover- eign arm,
Who summoned the guns of her sailor sons, who bade her navies roam,
Who calls again to the leagues of main, and who calls them this time home !
