THE WINDS OF VENTURE 



By JEANNETTE HELM 



I. 



Sad is my heart to go, and yet, 



When last farewells are softly said, 

 And round the keel the quick waves fret, 



And filling sails are outward spread ; 

 I must go on though joy or fear 



Await me, in my pulse's stir 

 Is venture, on the breeze I hear 



The Song of the First Voyager. 



"Great birds on lazy wing drift by, 

 Around my prow the seaweed trails, 



At night from out a starless sky 

 A foggy moon her wan face veils; 



For light or shadow what care I 



While Winds of Venture fill my sails?" 



II. 



Loath are my hands to lose their hold 



Of clinging ones that bid me stay, 

 But when the pointing fingers gold 



Of sunset beckon me away; 

 Into its glory I must go, 



Into the Sea of the Unknown, 

 Led by the song the breezes blow 



Of him who sailed and sought alone. 



"Amid the clouds with angry eye 



The sun glares down, a sad wind zvails 



Through corded ropes, in these do lie 

 The sombre hint of coming gales ; 



For storm or sunshine what care I 



While Winds of Venture fill my sails?" 



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