Poems (Spofford)/Godspeed
GODSPEED.
The great ship spreads her wings, her plumes are flying; Music sweeps down the deck, and chiming laughter;She climbs the green crest of the shining surges, The shadow of the chasing surge climbs after.
Ah, never overtake her, mighty shadow! Spirits of fire and air, attend upon her;In cloud by day and fire by night possess Sacred her charge, and sacred be her honor!
Far in the mid-waste of the weltering waters, Furrowed with dark and day and dark returning, Fly, fly, good ship, easting with every dawning, To hail your beacon in the billows burning!
And though you toss where never breath of blossom Blows, nor sweeps round the mast the swift sea swallow,Yet with you still, all storm, all space, defying, On her untiring wing my love shall follow!