Poems (Dorr)/Sealed Orders

by Julia Caroline Dorr

For works with similar titles, see Sealed Orders.

SEALED ORDERS

"Oh, whither bound, my captain?
 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."

"But to what port?" "Nay, nay," he cried,
 "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!"

"Then, prithee, gallant captain,
 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."

"Nay, tempt me not," he answered,
 "This only do I know,
That I must sail due eastward
 Whatever winds may blow!"

Then sailed we on, and sailed we east
 Into the whirlwind's track.
Wild was the tempest overhead,
 The sea was strewn with wrack.

"Oh, turn thee, turn thee, captain,
 Thou'rt rushing on to death!"
But back he answer shouted,
 With unabated breath:

"Turn back who will, I turn not!
 For this one thing I know,
That I must sail due eastward
 However winds may blow!"

"Oh, art thou fool or madman?
 Thy port is but a dream,
And never on the horizon's rim
 Will its fair turrets gleam."

Then smiled the captain wisely,
 And slowly answered he,
The while his keen glance widened
 Over the lonely sea:

I carry sealéd orders.
 This only thing I know,
That I must sail due eastward
 Whatever winds may blow!"