Explore "When the Great Ark" by Rudyard Kipling on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
When the Great Ark, in Vigo Bay, / Rode stately through the half-manned fleet, / From every ship about her way / She heard the mariners entreat -- / 'Before we take the seas again, / Let down your boats and send us men!
'We have no lack of victual here / With work -- God knows! -- enough for all, / To hand and reef and watch and steer, / Because our present strength is small. / While your three decks are crowded so / Your crews can scarcely stand or go.
'In war, your numbers do but raise / Confusion and divided will; / In storm, the mindless deep obeys / Not multitudes but single skill; / In calm, your numbers, closely pressed. / Do breed a mutiny or pest.
'We, even on unchallenged seas, / Dare not adventure where we would, / But forfeit brave advantages / For lack of men to make 'em good; / Whereby, to England's double cost. / Honour and profit both are lost! '