Where lies the land to which the ship would go? Far, far ahead is all her seamen know.
And where the land she travels from? Away, Far, far behind, is all that they can say.
On sunny noons, upon the deck"s smooth face, Linked arm in arm, how pleasant here to pace; Or, o"er the stern reclining, watch belowThe foaming wake far-widening as we go.
On stormy nights when wild north-westers rave, How proud a thing to fight with wind and wave ! The dripping sailor on the reeling mastExults to bear, and scorns to wish it past.
Where lies the land to which the ship would go? Far, far ahead is all her seamen know.
And where the land she travels from? Away, Far, far behind, is all that they can say.
A. H. Clough
Author.-Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1861), an English poet educated at Rugby College and Oxford University. He is best known by his short lyrics. He was the " Little Arthur " of Tom Brown"s School-days. He was a great friend of Matthew Arnold, who wrote to his memory a notable elegy, Thyrsis.
General.-What does "the ship " represent? Can you find any answersto the poet"s Whence? and Whither?
