“I see hundreds and hundreds of ships
Sailing out of the harbour.”
But what ladings –
Precious gems discovered, emerald,
Ruby, sapphire, diamond and pearl.
Gold in its purity,
Silver refined; copper
Fired to value of gold.
Abundant spices, fragrant,
For their home-coming,
Myrrh, aloes, cassia…
Rich their sheets and tackle;
Billowing from the crosstrees,
Buoyant their pennons.
Tribute for their Master –
He comes from their destination
To their coming –
His Grace.
The first two lines are the last words of the poet George Mackay Brown.
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