Underneath |
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Go Back Venus and Adonis Sonnet #1 Sonnet #2 Sonnet #3 Sonnet #4 Sonnet #5 Sonnet #6 Sonnet #7 Patterns Underneath Auspex War Spring's Welcome Goldfinches Naseby Ivry The Sea-King's Burial Underneath Lassitude The Hospital The Passions Buttons Listeners Invisible Bride Lincoln A Look into the Gulf |
Underneath him in the hold They have placed the lighted brand; And the fire burning slow As the vessel from the land, Like a stag-hound from the slips, Darted forth from out the ships. There was music in her sail As it swelled before the gale, And a dashing at her prow CrocsShoes Croc Shoes MensShoes As it cleft the waves below, And the good ship sped along, Scudding free; As on many a battle morn In her time she had been borne, To struggle, and to conquer On the sea. And the king with sudden strength Started up, and paced the deck, With his good sword for his staff, And his robe around his neck: Once alone, he raised his hand To the people on the land; And with shout and joyous cry Once again they made reply, Till the loud exulting cheer Sounded faintly on his ear; For the gale was o'er him blowing Fresh and free; And ere yet an hour had passed, He was driven before the blast, And a storm was on his path, On the sea. Heeleys Shoes NewBalance Shoes SteveMadden Shoes Stride Right Shoes And still upon the deck, While the storm about him rent, King Balder paced about Till his failing strength was spent. Then he stopped awhile to rest-- Crossed his hands upon his breast, And looked upward to the sky With a dim but dauntless eye; And heard the tall mast creak, And the fitful tempest speak Shrill and fierce, to the billows Rushing free; And within himself he said: "I am coming, O ye dead! To join you in Valhalla, O'er the sea. "So blow, ye tempests, blow, And my spirit shall not quail; I have fought with many a foe; I have weathered many a gale; Ere I yield my fleeting breath-- Shall come rushing from below, And this worn and wasted frame Be devoted to the flame-- I will raise my voice in triumph, Singing free;-- To the great All-Father's home I am driving through the foam, I am sailing to Valhalla, O'er the sea. "So blow, ye stormy winds-- And ye flames ascend on high;-- In the easy, idle bed Let the slave and coward die! But give me the driving keel, Or my foot on foreign ground, With my enemies around! Happy, happy, thus I'd yield, On the deck, or in the field, My last breath, shouting 'On To victory.' But since this has been denied, They shall say that I have died Without flinching, like a monarch Of the sea." And Balder spoke no more, And no sound escaped his lip;-- And he looked, yet scarcely saw The destruction of his ship, Nor the fleet sparks mounting high, Nor the glare upon the sky;-- Scarcely felt the scorching heat That was gathering at his feet, Nor the fierce flames mounting o'er him Greedily. But the life was in him yet, And the courage to forget All his pain, in his triumph On the sea. Once alone a cry arose, Half of anguish, half of pride, As he sprang upon his feet, With the flames on every side. "I am coming!" said the king, "Where the swords and bucklers ring-- With the souls of mighty men-- Where the weary find repose, And the red wine ever flows;-- I am coming, great All-Father, Unto thee! Unto Odin, unto Thor, And the strong, true hearts of yore-- I am coming to Valhalla, O'er the sea." |