Open'd a larger haven: thither used 105 And once when there, and clambering on a mast no Another hand crept too across his trade Low miserable lives of hand-to-mouth, And wanting yet a boatswain. Would he go? 12 Sail'd from this port. Would Enoch have the place? And Enoch all at once assented to it, So now that shadow of mischance appear'd And isles a light in the offing: yet the wifeWhen he was gonethe children - what to do? 131. At sea on half cloudy days one often notices a bit of sun Night standing out on the water like an island. Then Enoch lay long-pondering on his plans; To sell the boat-and yet he loved her well135 How many a rough sea had he weather'd in her! He knew her, as a horseman knows his horse — And yet to sell her then with what she brought 145 With fuller profits lead an easier life, Thus Enoch in his heart determined all: Then first since Enoch's golden ring had girt Her finger, Annie fought against his will: Yet not with brawling opposition she, 160 But manifold entreaties, many a tear, Many a sad kiss by day by night renew'd (Sure that all evil would come out of it) 142. Voyage must be read as a dissyllable, not too pronouncedly. Besought him, supplicating, if he cared For Enoch parted with his old sea-friend, Bought Annie goods and stores, and set his hand o To fit their little streetward sitting-room With shelf and corner for the goods and stores. So all day long till Enoch's last at home, Shaking their pretty cabin, hammer and axe, Auger and saw, while Annie seem'd to hear 175 Her own death-scaffold raising, shrill'd and rang, Till this was ended, and his careful hand, The space was narrow, having order'd all Almost as neat and close as Nature packs Her blossom or her seedling, paused; and he, 180 Who needs would work for Annie to the last, Ascending tired, heavily slept till morn. And Enoch faced this morning of farewell Bow'd himself down, and in that mystery 165. Not an easy line to read with proper stress; self should be dwelt upon, and a certain pause made after caring. For I'll be back, my girl, before you know it." Then lightly rocking baby's cradle, "and he, 195 This pretty, puny, weakly little one,— Nay-for I love him all the better for it— God bless him, he shall sit upon my knees And I will tell him tales of foreign parts, And make him merry, when I come home again. 200 Come, Annie, come, cheer up before I go." Him running on thus hopefully she heard, 205 On providence and trust in Heaven, she heard. 210 At length she spoke, "O Enoch, you are wise; And yet for all your wisdom well know I That I shall look upon your face no more." "Well then," said Enoch, "I shall look on yours Annie, the ship I sail in passes here s (He named the day), get you a seaman's glass, Spy out my face, and laugh at all your fears." But when the last of those last moments came, "Annie, my girl, cheer up, be comforted, Look to the babes, and till I come again, 220 Keep everything shipshape, for I must go. And fear no more for me; or if you fear 213. Another significant prophecy, as in line 36. Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds. Parts of the morning? if I flee to these 125 Can I go from him? and the sea is His, The sea is His: He made it." Enoch rose, Cast his strong arms about his drooping wife, When Annie would have raised him Enoch said, "Wake him not; let him sleep; how should the child Remember this?" and kiss'd him in his cot. But Annie from her baby's forehead clipt She when the day, that Enoch mention'd, came, Borrow'd a glass, but all in vain: perhaps 240 She could not fix the glass to suit her eye; Perhaps her eye was dim, hand tremulous; Ev'n to the last dip of the vanishing sail She watch'd it, and departed weeping for him; Then, tho' she mourn'd his absence as his grave, Set her sad will no less to chime with his, But throve not in her trade, not being bred 222-226. The use of Bible language at this moment is quite in harmony with Enoch's character. |