Mayflower
by John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890) |
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THUNDER our thanks to her�guns, hearts, and lips!
Cheer from the ranks to her,
Shout from the banks to her�
Mayflower! Foremost and best of our ships.
Mayflower!
Twice in the national story
Thy dear name in letters of
gold�
Woven in texture that never grows old�
Winning a
home and winning glory!
Sailing the years to us, welcomed
for aye;
Cherished for centuries, dearest to-day.
Every heart throbs for her, every flag dips�
Mayflower!
First and last, best of our ships.
White as a
seagull, she swept the long passage.
True as the
homing-bird flies with its message.
Love her? O, richer
than silk every sail of her.
Trust her? More precious
than gold every nail of her.
Write we down faithfully
every man's part in her;
Greet we all gratefully every
true heart in her.
More than a name to us, sailing the
fleetest,
Symbol of that which is purest and sweetest:
More than a keel to us, steering the straightest,
Emblem
of that which is freest and greatest:
More than a
dove-bosomed sail to the windward,
Flame passing on while
the night-clouds fly hindward.
Kiss every plank of her!
None shall take rank of her;
Frontward or weatherward,
none can eclipse.
Thunder our thanks to her! Cheer from
the banks to her!
Mayflower! Foremost and best of our
ships! |
By John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890)
Listed February 9, 2013 |
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