286 THE WHALE AND 



The End at hand. Christ the Christian's Pilot. 



to have ministered a portion of entertaining 

 knowledge and pleasure to some on the land, 

 whom neither duty nor decaying health shall 

 ever reduce to a like necessity with the writer, 

 of being an exile so long from country and home. 

 But if such a necessity do exist in the general 

 prostration of health, without organic disease, I 

 know of no means so feasible and hopeful for 

 its restoration as a cruise in a whale ship, un- 

 der as favorable circumstances as those with 

 which I have tried it. 



Man is a torch borne in the wind ; a dream 



But of a shadow, summ'd with all his substance ; 



And as great seamen, using all their wealth 



And skills in Neptune's deep invisible paths, 



In tall ships richly built and ribb'd with brass, 



To put a girdle round about the world, 



When they have done it (coming near their haven), 



Are fain to give a warning-piece, and call 



A poor stayed fisherman, that never pass'd 



His country's sight, to waft and guide them in : 



So, when we wander farthest through the waves 



Of glassy glory, and the gulfs of state, 



Topp'd with all titles, spreading all our reaches, 



As if each private arm would sphere the earth, 



WE MUST TO JESUS FOB HIS GUIDE RESORT, 



OR WE SHALL SHIPWRECK IN OUR SAFEST PORT. 



I did not think to have added more, but the 



