<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The Ship of the Soul</h1><h1 align="" class="head">To E.J.S</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="subhead">1</p><p class="line">LONG ago in the dawn of nations</p><p class="line">Wisdom in Egypt dreamed a dream,</p><p class="line">The ship of the soul of man a-sailing</p><p class="line">Over the Nile's god-haunted stream.</p><p class="line">Tired the travellers young and aged</p><p class="line">Voyaging in from near and far,</p><p class="line">Swift and surely the strong oars bore them</p><p class="line">Down to the glorious feet of Ra.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="subhead">2</p><p class="line">Dust is wisdom, its dream forgotten,</p><p class="line">But still in the light of the setting sun</p><p class="line">The ships of the souls of men go seeking</p><p class="line">The harbour that waits for everyone;</p><p class="line">Still in the current the strong oars quiver</p><p class="line">In changing rapids the light boats roll,</p><p class="line">Quiet is Nile, but on life's broad river</p><p class="line">Still puts forth the ship of the soul.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="subhead">3</p><p class="line">Ship after ship puts into harbour,</p><p class="line">Little bright towns by the riverside,</p><p class="line">And there is joy and feasting and dancing</p><p class="line">And fair glad maidens starry-eyed,</p><p class="line">One by one do the ships drop anchor,</p><p class="line">One by one in the roads they lie,</p><p class="line">Each one comes to his own home harbour,</p><p class="line">Every one but you and I.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="subhead">4</p><p class="line">Why can we not stay? we that are wanting</p><p class="line">Nothing more than the others are,</p><p class="line">A wife by the fire and a hearth to warm us,</p><p class="line">Anchorage safe in the harbour far.</p><p class="line">But in the midst of feasting and loving,</p><p class="line">Soft as the touch of a wizard's wand,</p><p class="line">The wind and the sound of the water call us,</p><p class="line">"Come, there are better things beyond."</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="subhead">5</p><p class="line">Others may find their loves and keep them,</p><p class="line">But for us two there still shall be</p><p class="line">A kinder heart and a fairer city,</p><p class="line">The home and wife we shall never see.</p><p class="line">Lost adventurers, watching ever</p><p class="line">Over the toss of the tricksy foam,</p><p class="line">Many a joyous port and city,</p><p class="line">Never the harbour lights of home.</p></div></body></html> · Great War