Mare Liberum Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCCB DEDEFFE GHIHBBH JKJKLLK| You dare to say with perjured lips | A |
| We fight to make the ocean free | B |
| You whose black trail of butchered ships | A |
| Bestrews the bed of every sea | B |
| Where German submarines have wrought | C |
| Their horrors Have you never thought | C |
| What you call freedom men call piracy | B |
| - | |
| Unnumbered ghosts that haunt the wave | D |
| Where you have murdered cry you down | E |
| And seamen whom you would not save | D |
| Weave now in weed grown depths a crown | E |
| Of shame for your imperious head | F |
| A dark memorial of the dead | F |
| Women and children whom you left to drown | E |
| - | |
| Nay not till thieves are set to guard | G |
| The gold and corsairs called to keep | H |
| O'er peaceful commerce watch and ward | I |
| And wolves to herd the helpless sheep | H |
| Shall men and women look to thee | B |
| Thou ruthless Old Man of the Sea | B |
| To safeguard law and freedom on the deep | H |
| - | |
| In nobler breeds we put our trust | J |
| The nations in whose sacred lore | K |
| The Ought stands out above the Must | J |
| And Honor rules in peace and war | K |
| With these we hold in soul and heart | L |
| With these we choose our lot and part | L |
| Till Liberty is safe on sea and shore | K |
Henry Van Dyke
(1)
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