Here all the day she swings from tide to tide, <br /> Here all night long she tugs a rusted chain, <br /> A masterless hulk that was a ship of pride, <br /> Yet unashamed: her memories remain. <br /> <br />It was Nelson in the `Captain', Cape St. Vincent far alee, <br /> With the `Vanguard' leading s'uth'ard in the haze -- <br />Little Jervis and the Spaniards and the fight that was to be, <br />Twenty-seven Spanish battleships, great bullies of the sea, <br /> And the `Captain' there to find her day of days. <br /> <br />Right into them the `Vanguard' leads, but with a sudden tack <br /> The Spaniards double swiftly on their trail; <br />Now Jervis overshoots his mark, like some too eager pack, <br />He will not overtake them, haste he e'er so greatly back, <br /> But Nelson and the `Captain' will not fail. <br /> <br />Like a tigress on her quarry leaps the `Captain' from her place, <br /> To lie across the fleeing squadron's way: <br />Heavy odds and heavy onslaught, gun to gun and face to face, <br />Win the ship a name of glory, win the men a death of grace, <br /> For a little hold the Spanish fleet in play. <br /> <br />Ended now the "Captain"'s battle, stricken sore she falls aside <br /> Holding still her foemen, beaten to the knee: <br />As the `Vanguard' drifted past her, "Well done, `Captain'," Jervis cried, <br />Rang the cheers of men that conquered, ran the blood of men that died, <br /> And the ship had won her immortality. <br /> <br /> Lo! here her progeny of steel and steam, <br /> A funnelled monster at her mooring swings: <br /> Still, in our hearts, we see her pennant stream, <br /> And "Well done, `Captain'," like a trumpet rings.<br /><br />John McCrae<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-captain/
