A LIFE by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY

I HEARD my ancient sea-blood say,
And wise in youth it counselled me, --
"When women lure, when men betray,
Break topsails for the open sea."

I crowded sail on spar and mast,
And half the world I left behind;
But in my breast I held it fast,
That truth in men I still should find.

I set my life on swords of three,
My back against my castle wall;
Now should I cry, @3"A moi, amis!"@1
It is three ghosts would come at call.

Alone upon the "Far Away,"
And nothing human sails with me;
My bare poles dip, through sun and spray,
The dim marge of God's outer sea.

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