Kept up by relays of generations young <br />Never dies at halyards the blithe chorus sung; <br />While in sands, sounds, and seas where the <br />storm-petrels cry, <br />Dropped mute around the globe, these halyard <br />singers lie. <br />Short-lived the clippers for racing-cups that <br />run, <br />And speeds in life's career many a lavish <br />mother's-son. <br /> <br />But thou, manly king o' the old _Splendid's_ <br />crew, <br />The ribbons o' thy hat still a-fluttering, should <br />fly-- <br />A challenge, and forever, nor the bravery <br />should rue. <br />Only in a tussle for the starry flag high, <br />When 'tis piety to do, and privilege to die. <br />Then, only then, would heaven think to lop <br />Such a cedar as the captain o' the _Splendid's_ <br />main-top: <br />A belted sea-gentleman; a gallant, off-hand <br />Mercutio indifferent in life's gay command. <br />Magnanimous in humor; when the splintering <br />shot fell, <br />'Tooth-picks a-plenty, lads; thank 'em with a <br />shell!' <br /> <br />Sang Larry o' the _Cannakin,_ smuggler o' the <br />wine, <br />At mess between guns, lad in jovial recline: <br />'In Limbo our Jack he would chirrup up a <br />cheer, <br />The martinet there find a chaffing mutineer; <br />From a thousand fathoms down under hatches <br />o' your Hades, <br />He'd ascend in love-ditty, kissing fingers to <br />your ladies!' <br /> <br />Never relishing the knave, though allowing <br />for the menial, <br />Nor overmuch the king, Jack, nor prodigally <br />genial. <br />Ashore on liberty he flashed in escapade, <br />Vaulting over life in its levelness of grade, <br />Like the dolphin off Africa in rainbow <br />a-sweeping-- <br />Arch iridescent shot from seas languid <br />sleeping. <br /> <br />Larking with thy life, if a joy but a toy, <br />Heroic in thy levity wert thou, Jack Roy.<br /><br />Herman Melville<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/jack-roy/
