The Launchings.

I saw the frigates plunge away
From the bondage in the slips...
And the launchers cheered
As the stout prows reared
And the waves leaped to the ships.

And the men who sweated out the day,
Yelled loud when the ships were free,
Their young sons died,
And their women cried,
To keep the ships at sea.

I saw them from where I sat aloft,
Ordering nails and drills and steel,
They flung caps high
And arose to cry
When the captain took the wheel.

And men who starved a few years back,
Yelled loud when the ships were free,
Their young sons died,
And their women cried,
To keep the ships at sea.

And men who ate when others starved,
Hastened to end their day
With a banquet fine,
Their fill of wine,
And to salt their gold away.

And men who had no gold to salt....
Yelled loud when the ships were free,
Their young sons died,
And their women cried,
To keep the ships at sea.