Explore "The Figure-Head (Sea Pieces)" by Herman Melville on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The _Charles-and-Emma_ seaward sped, / (Named from the carven pair at prow,) / He so smart, and a curly head, / She tricked forth as a bride knows how: / Pretty stem for the port, I trow!
But iron-rust and alum-spray / And chafing gear, and sun and dew / Vexed this lad and lassie gay, / Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; / And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
But came in end a dismal night, / With creaking beams and ribs that groan, / A black lee-shore and waters white: / Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: / O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!