I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,And the wheel"s kick and the wind"s song and the white sail"s shaking,And a grey mist on the sea"s face and a grey dawn bre- aking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tideIs a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea- gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gipsy life,To the gull"s way and the whale"s way where the wind"s like a whetted knife;And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow- rover. And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick"s over.
John Masefield.
Author.-John Masefield, an English poet and novelist, born in 1876, was chosen as Poet-Laureate in 1930. He has led an adventurous life, much of it at sea. His sea songs and poems ring true. His published books include Saltwater Ballads, Poems and Ballads, The Everlasting Mercy, Dauber, in verse; and, among prose works, Gallipoli, A Mainsail Haul, A Tarpaulin Muster, Odtaa, and Victorious Troy. He has also written several plays. Dauber is one of the finest of sea-poems.
General Notes.-Is Masefield"s love of the sea genuine? What makes you think so? A " trick" is the helmsman"s spell at the wheel, generally two hours. But the "long trick" is in the morning watch, when the relieving helmsman goes on at a quarter to eight a.m., and remains till 10 a.m., thus lengthening his "trick." Collect some more poems about the sea.
