Leaves of Grass (1867)


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3.


1  ABOARD, at the ship's helm,
A young steersman, steering with care.

2  A bell through fog on a sea-coast dolefully ringing,
An ocean-bell—O a warning bell, rock'd by the waves.

3  O you give good notice indeed, you bell by the sea-
         reefs ringing,
Ringing, ringing, to warn the ship from its wreck-
         place.

4  For, as on the alert, O steersman, you mind the
         bell's admonition,
The bows turn,—the freighted ship, tacking, speeds
         away under her gray sails,
The beautiful and noble ship, with all her precious
         wealth, speeds away gaily and safe.

5  But O the ship, the immortal ship! O ship aboard
         the ship!
O ship of the body—ship of the soul—voyaging, voy-
         aging, voyaging.
 
 
 
 
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