And dip

Of this America,

My ship!”

“Why make your ship so small?

Can your America contain them all?”

How wisely I replied

In the province of my pride:

“But these are my own shipmates, these

Who share my ship America with me!

... On many seas

On other ships, even the ancient ships of Greece,

Have other immigrants set sail for peace.

But these are my own shipmates whom I see

At hand—these are my company.”

“What have you said,” she cried,

“Thinking you knew?

Whom have you called your shipmates? You were wrong!

Your ship is strong

With a more various crew

Than any one man’s country could provide,

 Prev. P 12/58 next