Classic Poem

On a morning of St. John
Fell a sailor into the sea.
" What wilt thou give me, sailor, sailor,
If I rescue thee? "

" I will give thee all my ships,
All my silver, every gem,
All my gold, — yea, wife and daughters,
I will give thee them. "

" What care I for masted ships,
What care I for gold or gem?
Keep thy wife and keep thy daughters;
What care I for them?

" On the morning of St. John
Thou art drowning in the sea.
Promise me thy soul at dying,
And I'll rescue thee. "

" I commend the sea to God,
And my body to the sea,
And my soul, sweet Mother Mary,
I commit to thee. "