No More Learning

"Steer to that shore! "--they sail. "Do this! "--'tis done:
"Now form and follow me! "--the spoil is won.
Thus prompt his accents and his actions still,
And all obey and few inquire his will; 80
To such, brief answer and contemptuous eye
Convey reproof, nor further deign reply.

III.

"A sail! --a sail! "--a promised prize to Hope!
Her nation--flag--how speaks the telescope? [hl]
No prize, alas! but yet a welcome sail:
The blood-red signal glitters in the gale.
Yes--she is ours--a home-returning bark--
Blow fair, thou breeze! --she anchors ere the dark.
Already doubled is the cape--our bay
Receives that prow which proudly spurns the spray. 90
How gloriously her gallant course she goes!
Her white wings flying--never from her foes--
She walks the waters like a thing of Life! [199]
And seems to dare the elements to strife.
Who would not brave the battle-fire, the wreck,
To move the monarch of her peopled deck!

IV.

Hoarse o'er her side the rustling cable rings:
The sails are furled; and anchoring round she swings;
And gathering loiterers on the land discern
Her boat descending from the latticed stern. 100
'Tis manned--the oars keep concert to the strand,
Till grates her keel upon the shallow sand. [hm]
Hail to the welcome shout! --the friendly speech!
When hand grasps hand uniting on the beach;
The smile, the question, and the quick reply,
And the Heart's promise of festivity!

V.

The tidings spread, and gathering grows the crowd:
The hum of voices, and the laughter loud,
And Woman's gentler anxious tone is heard--
Friends'--husbands'--lovers' names in each dear word: 110
"Oh! are they safe? we ask not of success--
But shall we see them? will their accents bless?