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Re reading Sea Fever reminded me that Cargoes was another poem 'done' in school - primary school this one. The head master there insisted I did other work than normal pupils - special needs - I got bored easily :D

So here is another Masefield from my youth.

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory,
And apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,
Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,
With a cargo of diamonds,
Emeralds, amethysts,
Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,
Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,
With a cargo of Tyne coal,
Road-rails, pig-lead,
Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

      -- John Masefield

Johnny surely knew how to cram a lot of sense into a few evocative phrases, didn't he?

And may I take the opportunity to state how much I enjoy the "Foul Old Ron sloganizer" offerings? Frequent chortles ensue.

I absolutely love that poem.



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