Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SHIP by JOHN COLLINGS SQUIRE

Poet Analysis

First Line: THERE WAS NO SONG NOR SHOUT OF JOY
Last Line: OR SILKS OR GOLD.
Subject(s): SHIPS & SHIPPING;

There was no song nor shout of joy
Nor beam of moon or sun,
When she came back from the voyage
Long ago begun;
But twilight on the waters
Was quiet and grey,
And she glided steady, steady and pensive,
Over the open bay.

Her sails were brown and ragged.
And her crew hollow-eyed.
But their silent lips spoke content
And their shoulders pride;
Though she had no captives on her deck,
And in her hold
There were no heaps of corn or timber
Or silks or gold.



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