Poems (Jackson)/Sealed Orders
For works with similar titles, see Sealed Orders.
SEALED ORDERS.
HEN ship with "orders sealed" sails out to sea,Men eager crowd the wharves, and reverent gazeUpon their faces whose brave spirits raiseNo question if the unknown voyage beOf deadly peril. Benedictions freeAnd prayers and tears are given, and the daysCounted till other ships, on homeward ways,May bring back message of her destiny.Yet, all the time, Life's tossing sea is whiteWith scudding sails which no man reefs or staysBy his own will, for roughest day or night:Brave, helpless crews, with captain out of sight,Harbor unknown, voyage of long delays,They meet no other ships on homeward ways.