DROPPING THE PILOT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 833, 4 July 1890, Page 3

DROPPING THE PILOT.

[A cartoon in Punch presents the spectacle of Bismarck as the '.old- pilot leaving tin German ship of ' State iix the open waters, while the young/Emperor, as admiral, watches, f \yith an ill-concealed wistfulncss, his old helmsman's departure by the gangway. There is a touch of geuuine patho3 in Punch's picture.] Groat pilot, whom so many storms have tried, To fseo thee quit the helm at last, at last, And slow descend that vessel's stately side, Whilst yet waves surge and skies aro overcast. Wakes wondering memories of that mighty past, Shaped by a guiding hand, Strong to direct, as strenuous to command. When ycfc did a great ship on the great sea - • . Drop pilot like to thco? l. No "branch in Lethe dipped by Morpheus" slacks This pilot's sight, or vanquishes his force. Tho ship he leaves may steor on other tacks ; Will the new Palinuru3 hold her course With hand as linn and skill of auch resource 1 He who, yE-ioas-liko, Now takes the holm himself perchance may strike On sunken shoals, or wish, on, the wild main, Tho old pilot back again. These things are on the knees of the groat gods ; But, hap what hap, that alow-desconding form, Which oft hath stood with winds and waves at odds, ; And almost single-handed braved Ihe storm, Shows an heroic shape; and high hearts warm To that stout, grim-faced bulk Of manhood looming largo against the hulk Of the groafc ship, whose course, at falw's commands, He loaves to lessor hands !