Poem: “The Figure-Head” by Herman Melville

Sea Pieces

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American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Sea Pieces
< < < The Man-Of-War Hawk
The Good Craft snow Bird > > >

The Figure-Head

The Charles-and-Emma seaward sped,
(Named from the carven pair at prow,)
He so smart, and a curly head,
She tricked forth as a bride knows how:
Pretty stem for the port, I trow!

But iron-rust and alum-spray
And chafing gear, and sun and dew
Vexed this lad and lassie gay,
Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few;
And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.

But came in end a dismal night,
With creaking beams and ribs that groan,
A black lee-shore and waters white:
Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone:
O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!

< < < The Man-Of-War Hawk
The Good Craft snow Bird > > >

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

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Sea Pieces

The Figure-Head

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