An Arctic Quest

O proudly name their names who bravely sail To seek brave lost in Arctic snows and seas! Bring money and bring ships, and on strong knees Pray prayers so strong that not one word can fail To pierce God's listening heart! Rigid and pale The lost men's bodies, waiting, drift and freeze; Yet shall their solemn dead lips tell to these Who find them secrets mighty to prevail On farther, darker, icier seas I go Alone, unhelped, unprayed-for. Perishing For years in realms of more than Arctic snow My heart has lingered Will the poor dead thing Be sign to quide past bitter flood and floe To open sea, some strong heart triumphing?