The Ancient Spell

From the Harrisburg Telegraph, November 3, 1914. By Berton Braley.

When a ship puts out to sea
    Swinging slowly from the quay,
Somehow warm enchantment gleams
    From each mast and stack and spar
As she takes the trail o’ dreams
    Where all brave adventures are.
Life seems big and blithe and free
    When a ship puts out to sea.

Slaves of time and circumstance,
    Humdrum folk and dull are we,
Yet we sense the old romance
    When a ship puts out to sea,
And we watch her flag unfurled
    To the wind that sweeps the world,
Watch her dim and fade and then
    Sighing, turn to toil again.

Yet, although we may not be
    With her on the deeps that call,
We can feel the mystery
    And the glamour of it all—
When a ship puts out to sea.