Each day I see the long ships coming into port
Each day I see the long ships coming into port
Original Text
The Verse of Christopher Brennan, ed. A. R. Chisholm and J. J. Quinn (Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1960): 157. PR 6003 R352A17 Robarts Library
1Each day I see the long ships coming into port
2and the people crowding to their rail, glad of the shore:
3because to have been alone with the sea and not to have known
4of anything happening in any crowded way,
5and to have heard no other voice than the crooning sea's
6has charmed away the old rancours, and the great winds
7have search'd and swept their hearts of the old irksome thoughts:
8so, to their freshen'd gaze, each land smiles a good home.
9Why envy I, seeing them made gay to greet the shore?
10Surely I do not foolishly desire to go
11hither and thither upon the earth and grow weary
12with seeing many lands and peoples and the sea:
14have heart to find a welcome and perchance a rest,
15I would spread the sail to any wandering wind of the air
16this night, when waves are hard and rain blots out the land.
Notes
13] reck: care. Back to Line
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire; Cameron La Follette
RPO Edition
2011
Form