The Outward-Bound Ship

As borne along with favouring gale
And streamers waving bright,
How gaily sweeps the glancing sail
O'er yonder sea of light!

With painted sides the vessel glides,
In seeming revelry;
And still we hear the sailors' cheer
Around the capstan tree.

Is sorrow there where all is fair,
Where all is outward glee?
Go, fool, to yonder mariner,
And he shall lesson thee.

Upon that deck walks tyrant sway,
Wild as his conquered wave,
And murmuring hate that must obey
The captain and his slave.

And pinching care is lurking there,
And dark ambition's swell,
And some that part with bursting heart
From objects loved too well;

And many a grief with gazing fed
On yonder distant shore,
And many a tear in secret shed
For friends beheld no more;

Yet sails the ship with streamers drest
And shouts of seeming glee:
O God! how loves the mortal breast
To hide its misery!