C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Julia C. R. Dorr (1825–1913)

Sealed Orders

“OH, whither bound, my captain?

The wind is blowing free,

And overhead the white sails spread

As we go out to sea.”

He looked to north, he looked to south,

Or ever a word he spake;—

“With orders sealed my sails I set—

Due east my course I take.”—

“But to what port?”—“Nay, nay,” he cried,

“This only do I know,—

That I must sail due eastward

Whatever wind may blow.”

For many a day we sailèd east;—

“O captain, tell me true,

When will our good ship come to port?”—

“I cannot answer you!”—

“Then, prithee, gallant captain,

Let us but drift awhile!

The current setteth southward

Past many a sunny isle,

“Where cocoas grow, and mangoes,

And groves of feathery palm,

And nightingales sing all night long

To roses breathing balm.”—

“Nay, tempt me not,” he answered:

“This only do I know,—

That I must sail due eastward

Whatever winds may blow!”

Then sailed we on, and sailed we east

Into the whirlwind’s track;

Wild was the tempest overhead,

The sea was strewn with wrack.

“Oh, turn thee, turn thee, captain—

Thou’rt rushing on to death!”

But back he answer shouted,

With unabated breath:—

“Turn back who will, I turn not!

For this one thing I know,—

That I must sail due eastward

However winds may blow!”—

“Oh, art thou fool or madman?

Thy port is but a dream,

And never on the horizon’s rim

Will its fair turrets gleam.”

Then smiled the captain wisely,

And slowly answered he,

The while his keen glance widened

Over the lonely sea:—

“I carry sealèd orders.

This only thing I know,—

That I must sail due eastward

Whatever winds may blow!”

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