John Marr and Other Poems by Herman Melville
page 23 of 138 (16%)
page 23 of 138 (16%)
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threaping;
No, never he flinched, never sideways he looked, Peeled to the waistband, the marble flesh creeping, Lashed by the sleet the officious winds urge. In function his fellows their fellowship merge-- The twain standing nigh--the two boatswain's mates, Sailors of his grade, ay, and brothers of his mess. With sharp thongs adroop the junior one awaits The word to uplift. "Untie him--so! Submission is enough, Man, you may go." Then, promenading aft, brushing fat Purser Smart, "Flog? Never meant it--hadn't any heart. Degrade that tall fellow? "--Such, wife, was he, Old Captain Turret, who the brave wine could stow. Magnanimous, you think?--But what does Dick see? Apron to your eye! Why, never fell a blow; Cheer up, old wifie, 't was a long time ago. But where's that sore one, crabbed and-severe, Lieutenant Lon Lumbago, an arch scrutineer? Call the roll to-day, would he answer--_Here!_ |
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