Classic Poem

" I've seen Cape Horn five times, " said he,
" 'Twas in the days of sailing ships! "
His face was swarthy from the sea,
With steadfast eyes and merry lips
" I dream of it sometimes at nights,
Now that I'm with the Irish Lights. "

" I'm in the Irish Lights, " said he,
" And taking stores around the coast,
'Tis quiet for a man like me
Who's seen the world if he may boast,
Queer towns too far for you to know,
Lima and Monte Video. "

" The people in this land, " said he,
" Are well content with Wakes and Fairs,
But finer sights than them you'll see
About the streets of Buenos Ayres,
Or Valparaiso if you choose,
Rio maybe or Santa Cruz. "

" I'm in the Irish Lights, " said he,
" And roving ways are for the young.
I've got my wife and family,
And do my work and hold my tongue
It's only in the days of spring
My heart will go off wandering. "

" I've no more stories now, " said he,
And gave my ear a friendly cuff.
He put me down from off his knee
And told me " Home is good enough. "
But in his wide, strange, dreaming eyes
I saw big ships and foreign skies.