Translations from the Chinese/"The Sun's Over the Foreyard"

by Christopher Morley

Layout 4

"THE SUN'S OVER THE FOREYARD"

WHEN I was a passenger in the barque Windrush
I became aware of a pleasant sea custom.
Along toward noon
The captain s boy used to come politely to me
And whisper
"The captain's compliments, and the sun's over the foreyard."
And presently I learned that this meant
Come aft to the poop
And have a drink.
For mariners, men of sound self-control.
Never touch the bottle
Until the sun reaches the yards.

Now that I myself am a seaman
I always ship in square sail,
Never in steam,
In a steamer
The yards are so much higher.