THE MALDIVE SHARK<\/p>\n
by Herman Melville (1819-1891)<\/p>\n
BOUT the Shark, phlegmatical one,
\nPale sot of the Maldive sea,
\nThe sleek little pilot-fish, azure and slim,
\nHow alert in attendance be.
\nFrom his saw-pit of mouth, from his charnel of maw,
\nThey have nothing of harm to dread,
\nBut liquidly glide on his ghastly flank
\nOr before his Gorgonian head;
\nOr lurk in the port of serrated teeth
\nIn white triple tiers of glittering gates,
\nAnd there find a haven when peril’s abroad,
\nAn asylum in jaws of the Fates!
\nThey are friends; and friendly they guide him to prey,
\nYet never partake of the treat–
\nEyes and brains to the dotard lethargic and dull,
\nPale ravener of horrible meat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE MALDIVE SHARK<\/p>\n