The Two Ships.

As I stand by the cross on the lone mountain's crest,

Looking over the ultimate sea,

In the gloom of the mountain a ship lies at rest,

And one sails away from the lea:

One spreads its white wings on a far-reaching track,

With pennant and sheet flowing free;

One hides in the shadow with sails laid aback,—

The ship that is waiting for me!

But lo, in the distance the clouds break away!

The Gate's glowing portals I see;

And I hear from the outgoing ship in the bay

The song of the sailors in glee:

So I think of the luminous footprints that bore

The comfort o'er dark Galilee,

And wait for the signal to go to the shore,

To the ship that is waiting for me.