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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO TOM by HERMAN MELVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: THOU THAT DOST THY CHRISTMAS KEEP
Last Line: THE GLASS SHOWS TEARS, BELOVED TOM!
Subject(s): CHRISTMAS; NATIVITY, THE;

Thou that dost thy Christmas keep
Lonesome on the torrid deep,
But in thy "Meteor" proudly sweep
O'er the waves that vainly comb --
Of thee we think,
To thee we drink,
And drain the glass, my gallant Tom!

Thou that, duty-led, dost roam
Far from thy shepherd-brother's home --
Shearer of the ocean-foam!
To whom one Christmas may not come, --
Of thee I think
Till on its brink
The glass shows tears, beloved Tom!



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