Part 18 (1/2)

I meet my mates in the morning, a broken, scattered band.

Men shoot us in the water and club us on the land; Men drive us to the Salt House like silly sheep and tame, And still we sing Lukannon--before the sealers came.

_Wheel down, wheel down to southward! Oh, Gooverooska go!

And tell the Deep-Sea Viceroys the story of our woe; Ere, empty as the shark's egg the tempest flings ash.o.r.e, The Beaches of Lukannon shall know their sons no more!_

AN ASTROLOGER'S SONG

To the Heavens above us O look and behold The Planets that love us All harnessed in gold!

What chariots, what horses, Against us shall bide While the Stars in their courses Do fight on our side?

All thought, all desires, That are under the sun, Are one with their fires, As we also are one.

All matter, all spirit, All fas.h.i.+on, all frame, Receive and inherit Their strength from the same.

Oh, man that deniest All power save thine own, Their power in the highest Is mightily shown.

Not less in the lowest That power is made clear (Oh, man, if thou knowest, What treasure is here!)

Earth quakes in her throes And we wonder for why.

But the blind planet knows When her ruler is nigh; And, attuned since Creation To perfect accord, She thrills in her station And yearns to her Lord.

The waters have risen, The springs are unbound-- The floods break their prison, And ravin around.

No rampart withstands 'em, Their fury will last, Till the Sign that commands 'em Sinks low or swings past.

Through abysses unproven, O'er gulfs beyond thought, Our portion is woven, Our burden is brought.

Yet They that prepare it, Whose Nature we share, Make us who must bear it Well able to bear.

Though terrors o'ertake us We'll not be afraid.

No Power can unmake us Save that which has made.

Nor yet beyond reason Or hope shall we fall-- All things have their season, And Mercy crowns all!

Then, doubt not, ye fearful-- The Eternal is King-- Up, heart, and be cheerful, And l.u.s.tily sing:-- _What chariots, what horses, Against us shall bide While the Stars in their courses Do fight on our side?_

'THE POWER OF THE DOG'

There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; But when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more?

_Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear._

Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect pa.s.sion and wors.h.i.+p fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.

_Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear._

When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, _Then you will find--it's your own affair, But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear._