My Ships

M. R. Murray

AH, years ago!—no matter where,
Beneath what roof or sky,
I dreamed of days, perhaps remote,
Where ships of mine that were afloat,
Should in the harbor lie;
And all the costly freights they bore
Enrich me both in mind and store.

What dreams they were of argosies
Laden in many a clime;
So stoutly built, so bravely manned,
No fear but they would come to land
At their appointed time;
And I should see them one by one,
Close furl their sails in summer's sun.

And then, while men in wonder stood,
My ships I would unlade;
My treasures vast they should behold,
And to my learning or my gold
What honors would be paid!
And though the years might come and go,
I could but wiser, richer grow.

In later years,—no matter where,
Beneath what roof or sky,
I saw the dreams of days remote
Fade out, and ships that were afloat,
As drifting wrecks go by:
And all the many freights they bore
Lay fathoms deep, or strewed the shore,

While ships of which I never thought,
Were sailing o'er the sea;
And one by one, with costlier lade,
In safety all the voyage made,
And brought their freights to me;
What I had lost but trifle seemed,
And I was richer than I dreamed.

No wondering crowd, with envious eye,
Looked on my treasure rare;
Yet they were weightier far than gold;
They still increase though I grow old,
And are beyond compare;
Would all the restless hearts I see
Had ships like these that come to me.

M. R. Murray.

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