xxii TO THE FIGURE-HEAD 



v. 



Now tinkling waves a peal of welcome rang 

 Against the sheathing of our brazen bows, — 



No gladder hymn the rosy Nereids sang, 

 When, clad in sunshine, Aphrodite rose. 



VI. 



Anon, a mightier passion stirred the deep — 

 Presumptuous billows scaled the quivering deck 



Up to your very lips would dare to leap, 

 And fling their silver arms about your neck ; 



VII. 



The uncouth winds stole kisses from your cheek, 

 Then, wild with exultation, hurried on, 



And boasting bade their laggard comrades seek 

 The momentary bliss themselves had won, 



VIII. 



Who, following, filled our prosperous sails until 

 We reached eternal winter's drear domain, 



Where suns of June but frozen light distil, 

 And, baffled, quickly abdicate their reign. 



IX. 



Yet even here your gracious beauty shed 



Deep calm; old Ocean slumbered 'neath its spell ; 



And Summer seemed to follow where you led, 

 As loth to bid your kindred smile farewell. 



x. 



The ominous shapes of drifting ice, that pack 

 The desolate channels of the polar flood, 



Clustered like wolves around our Northward track, 

 Till swayed by that sweet power to altered mood, 



XI. 



They cowered, and ranged themselves on either side, 

 Like vassal ranks who watch some passing Queen 



Through her white columned halls in silence glide, 

 Nor mingling meet till she no more is seen. 



