Sailing of the Glory

Merrily shouted all the sailors As they left the town behind; Merrily shouted they and gladdened At the slip-slap of the wind. But envious were those faint home-keepers, Faint land-lovers, as they saw How the Glory dipped and staggered-- Envying saw Pass the ship while all her sailors Merrily shouted.

Far and far on eastern waters Sailed the ship and yet sailed on, While the townsmen, faint land-lovers, Thought, "How long is't now she's gone? Now, maybe, Bombay she touches, Now strange craft about her throng"; Till she grew but half-remembered, Gone so long: Quite forgot how all her sailors Merrily shouted.

Far in unfamiliar waters Ship and shipmen harbourage found, Where the rocks creep out like robbers After travellers tempest-bound. Then those faint land-lovers murmured Doleful thanks not dead were they:-- Ah, yet envious, though the Glory Sunken lay, Hearing again those farewell voices Merrily shouting.