IV

Morning swirled in from the sea, And down by the low river-wall, In a long unforgettable row, Man faces tremulous, old;

Terrible faces of youth, Broken and seared by the war, Where swift fire kindled and blazed From embers hot under the years,

While hands gripped a cane or a crutch; Patient dumb faces of women, Mothers, sisters, and wives: And the vessel hull-down in the sea,

Where the waters, just stirring from sleep, Lifted bright hands to the sun, Hiding their lusty young dead, Holding them jealously close

Down to the cold harbor floor. There would be eight of them. Here in the gathering light Were waiting eight women or more

Who were destined forever to pay, Who never again would laugh back Into the eyes of life In the old glad, confident way.

Each huddled dumbly to each; But eyes could not lift from the sea, Only hands touched in the dawn. “He would have gone, my man;

He was like that. In the night When I awoke with a start, And brought his voice up from my dream: That was goodbye and godspeed.

I know he is there with the rest.” Brave, but with quivering lips, Each alone in the press of the crowd, Was saying it over and over.

The day flooded all of the sky; And the ships of the sullen blockade Weighed anchor and drew down the wind, Leaving their wreck to the waves.

Hour heaved slowly on hour, Yet how could the city rejoice With the women out there by the wall! Night grew under the wharves,

And crept through the listening streets, Until only the red of the tiles Seemed warm from the breath of the day; And the faces that waited and watched

Blurred into a wavering line, Like foam on the curve of the dark, Down there by the reticent sea. What if the darkness should bring

The lean blockade-runners across With food for the hungry and spent.... Who could joy in the sudden release While the faces, still-smiling, but wan,

Turned slowly to hallow the town?