Advice: A Book of Poems

<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</SPAN></span> <h2 class="nobreak">ADVICE TO A RIVER STEAM-BOAT</h2> <div class="poetry-container"> <div class="poetry"> <div class="stanza"> <div class="verse">The brass band plays upon your decks,</div> <div class="verse">Like a sturdy harlot aping mirth,</div> <div class="verse">And people in starched shields</div> <div class="verse">Stuff their passions with sweet words,</div> <div class="verse">Life is swishing in the air,</div> <div class="verse">Like a tipsy, unseen bridegroom.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="verse">O humbly grunting river boat,</div> <div class="verse">Take the churning water and the sun</div> <div class="verse">Like one who plays with his own chains</div> <div class="verse">And flings their turmoil to the sky.</div> <div class="verse">Only a voice can leap above high walls.</div> </div></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />