free-verse19 lines
Sean O'Cosgair
by James StephensPity it was that you should ever stand
In ship or boat,
Or that you went afloat
Inside that ship!
The lusty steps you took!
The ways and journeys you knew how to wend
From London back to Beltra,
And this end!
You who could swim so well!
What time you sported in the lifting tides
The girls swam out to you, and held your sides
When they were weary, for they knew they were
Safe, because you were there.
Your little-mother thought that this was true
(And so she made no stir
Till you were found),
Although an hundred might be drown'd, you
Would come back safe to her,
And not be drowned!