The Ship

Aboard, at a ship's helm,
A young steersman, steering with care.

A bell through fog on a sea-coast dolefully ringing,
An ocean-bell -- O a warning bell, rock'd by the waves.

O you give good notice indeed, you bell by the sea-reefs ringing,
Ringing, ringing, to warn the ship from its wreck-place.

For, as on the alert, O steersman, you mind the bell's admonition,
The bows turn, -- the freighted ship, tacking, speeds away under her gray sails,
The beautiful and noble ship, with all her precious wealth, speeds away gaily and safe.

But O the ship, the immortal ship! O ship aboard the ship!
O ship of the body -- ship of the soul -- voyaging, voyaging, voyaging.

Lo! the unbounded sea!	 
On its breast a Ship starting, spreading all her sails --
   an ample Ship, carrying even her moonsails;	 
The pennant is flying aloft, as she speeds, she speeds so stately -- 
   below, emulous waves press forward,	 
They surround the Ship, with shining curving motions, and foam.