I
“Oh, Dad! your boat
Is headed for the bridge –
The mast will hit it! . . . Turn back . . .
Or all is lost.
II
Look! a cross, that’s
A dangerous cross –
The mast, it’s upward bearing,
The bridge lies across –”
III
“Oh – son! don’t be afraid:
This is – a salvation-sign;
Let’s sail on! – at any rate –
Look, how? it’s changing . . .
*
Here – upward, a-cross
All’s the same – and yet –”
*
“And where is the cross? . . .”
*
“It became our gate.”
1866