A PROLOGUE. 297 



As if a pitying heaven would so decree 

 That parted souls should feel in unity. 



But while we thus may sentimentalize 

 In manner p'raps the opposite of wise, 

 Mirth will demand the passing moments, too. 



And though our efforts here may fail to reach 



The heights of comedy, yet will they teach 

 Our audience that the bound Jeannette's good crew, 

 For Arctic dangers and the floe's worst jam 

 Don't care a single continental damn. 



Some one remarks, " We have no coal for steaming : " 



Why, no, but surely, if I am not dreaming, 



I see quite near me a small pile, 'tis true, 

 But, gentlemen, no better Cole,* 'tis said 

 E'er came aboard. What's more than this, he's red 



Ready, I mean, to do his duty, too; 



And though his weight is heavy round New York, 



In earlier days 'twas found not far from Cork. 



And not since Adam sinn'd e'er lived a man 



Who lov'd the Arctic like our Nindermann.f 



Who can be found among our crew that ran a 

 Risk on the ice like his, as sou'westward floating 

 Upon the floe piece most unpleasant boating ? 



But I suspect a buxom squaw named Hannah 



Was very much the reason, if not cause, 



Why William so admires the Esquimaux. 



Again regretting that the much lov'd sex 

 Can't grace our festival, or light our decks 

 With eyes far brighter than the night queen's lanterns, 

 We're not so badly off, though, as you think, 

 For Fortune, that our spirits might not sink, 

 Has sent a substitute along, and Sweetman turns 

 Up in our midst, his jolly visage beaming 

 With smiles and lips whence pleasantry is streaming. 



Here, too, you'll find among us, as you see, 

 The stalwart, bold machinist man called Lee, 

 Whose hand is ready, like magician's wand, 



To turn an engine shaft or shape a pin, 



Or put a piece upon a pot of tin. 



* Jack Cole, the Irish boatswain. 



t Nindermann was with Tyson on thegreat 1,500 mile drift when separated from the 

 Polaris. 



