Poem: “Crossing The Tropics” by Herman Melville

Sea Pieces

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American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Sea Pieces
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The Berg > > >

Crossing The Tropics

From “The Saya-y-Manto.”

While now the Pole Star sinks from sight
    The Southern Cross it climbs the sky;
But losing thee, my love, my light,
O bride but for one bridal night,
    The loss no rising joys supply.

Love, love, the Trade Winds urge abaft,
And thee, from thee, they steadfast waft.

By day the blue and silver sea
    And chime of waters blandly fanned—
Nor these, nor Gama’s stars to me
May yield delight since still for thee
    I long as Gama longed for land.

I yearn, I yearn, reverting turn,
My heart it streams in wake astern
When, cut by slanting sleet, we swoop
    Where raves the world’s inverted year,
If roses all your porch shall loop,
Not less your heart for me will droop
    Doubling the world’s last outpost drear.

O love, O love, these oceans vast:
Love, love, it is as death were past!

< < < To Ned
The Berg > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Sea Pieces

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Sea Pieces

Crossing The Tropics

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