Page:The Seaside and the Fireside.djvu/49

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The Building of the Ship.
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Knocking away the shores and spurs.And see! she stirs!She starts,—she moves,—she seems to feelThe thrill of life along her keel,And, spurning with her foot the ground,With one exulting, joyous bound,She leaps into the ocean's arms!
And lo! from the assembled crowdThere rose a shout, prolonged and loud,That to the ocean seemed to say,—“ Take her, O bridegroom, old and gray,Take her to thy protecting arms,With all her youth and all her charms!”
How beautiful she is! How fairShe lies within those arms, that pressHer form with many a soft caressOf tenderness and watchful care!
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