History of the U. S. S. Leviathan: Cruiser and Transport Forces, United States Atlantic Fleet. E-book. Formato PDF - 9780259666370

"Leviathan"

Adele M. Marshall

Leviathan, thou noble ship,
Thou mighty monarch of the seas,
May thy stalwart form and mighty force
War's desolating horrors ease.
We view the grandeur of thy bulk,
And gaze with wonder and with awe
At thy great magnitude and might
Which surpass visions we foresaw.

As now in peaceful anchor held,
The waves caress thy sturdy bow:
The ocean flirts and beckons thee
To sail away, away — and now
She lures thee with her shining crest,
But couldst thou see beneath the wave
The yawning jaws of cavern greed
From which a God alone can save.

She'll lure thee out into her midst,
Then tantalize with storm and gale,
But these mere trifles bring no fear
As ever on you sail.
But deep within her somber soul
There lie devices horn of hate,
In traitorous hearts and crafty minds
Hell's strategies they propagate.

And will there mechanisms harm?
Will bomb or shot e'er rend thy bark?
Will cries of horrors fill the air
As dangers peer from ocean dark?
There is but One who knows thy fate;
Within the hollow of His hand
Thy safety lies. You can but wait
And place thy trust in Beulah Land.

We trust thee, ship, we give our sons
By thousands. Will they fill thy halls?
Oh bring them safe across the wave
Despite the whirlpool, storms and squalls
The prayers and sobs from broken hearts
Will follow as thy course is run.
This prayer eternal, to heaven will rise —
"Thy will, not mine. Oh, God, lie done."

Leviathan, thou ship of state,
Sail on, sail on victorious.
Crush thou the tools of hate.
Come back with honors glorious
And bring with thee eternal peace.
Peace with honor, without stain.
And wear the crown "Leviathan,"
Queen of the ocean's vast domain.