MASEFIELD

I must down the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down the seas again, for the call of the running tide,
Is a wild call and a clear call taht may not be denied:
And all I ask is a windy day with the white cloud flying,
And the flung spray and the blown splume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down the sea again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick' over.

SEA-FEVER by MASEFIELD, John