All At Sea

"Sea Fever"

I MUST go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. - John Masefield

At last! Sea room and a worthy foe indeed! Do you know, me hearty dearies, I think I shall find a scrivener to do up this poem in calligraphic fancies and hang it in the Club Room. It scans well and has a fine swinging meter; perfect for the manly leather-bound confines of the gentlemen's private bar.

I'm feeling extremely chuffed about Gus's venture now; it seems he's finally found a craft worthy of his seamanship and his quest, that is yet impervious to Stupid George's misguided "helpfulness."