Classic Poem

Frail Argo of the foam! thou breeze-blown shred
Of floating rainbow; shallop gay of toy;
Conceit of sportive nature! Ship ahoy!
Where thy ambitious bourne? — Breakers ahead!
Furl sail betimes! — Unheedful onward sped
My gallant navigator of the spray,
Breasting vicissitude. The morrow day
I saw him wrecked upon the sands and dead.
E'en so on Fortune's tossing billows ride
Man's puny ventures seeking wealth or fame!
So fare our launched desires upon the tide
Of Chance, when we our impotence proclaim
By bubbly show of courage, pomp, or pride,
Like this puffed Nothing of pretentious name.