Preparedness II.

THE SAILOR

A sailor that rides the ocean wave, And I in my room at home:

Where are the seas I fear to brave, Or the lands I may not roam?

At the attic window I take my stand, And tighten the curtain sail, Then, ahoy! I ride the leagues of land, Whether in calm or gale.

Tree at anchor along the road Bow as I speed along;At sunny brooks in the valley I load Cargoes of blossom and song;Stories I take on the passing wind From the plains and forest seas, And the Golden Fleece I yet will find, And the fruit of Hesperides.

Steady I keep my watchful eyes, As I range the thousand miles, Till evening tides in western skies Turn gold the cloudland isles;Then fast is the hatch and dark the screen, And I bring my cabin light;With a wink I change to a submarine And drop in the sea of Night.