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Song of the Paddlers [excerpt]

by Herman Melville, 1849

Dip, dip, in the brine our paddles dip,
Dip, dip, the fins of our swimming ship!
How the waters part,
As on we dart;
   Our sharp prows fly,
   And curl on high,
As the upright fin of the rushing shark,
Rushing fast and far on his flying mark!
Like him we prey;
Like him we slay;
   Swim on the foe,
   Our prow a blow!

Tags: animals, oceans

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