The monumental boat was birthed unto the floating harbour of the former second city of the empire. Small pilot boats ‘n ridden rafts threw cheers toward the hull, their voices smashing gladly ‘gainst the iron.
There were royal visitors en route. The men who built the behemoth sat arranged along a scaffold in the dry dock.
“I watched my love go floating out…”
“At summer’s height! At summer’s height!”
“… to sail ‘pon hist’ry’s waves, no doubt.”
“At summer’s height at the harbour!”
“To cheers she left th’dock where we met…”
“At summer’s height! At summer’s height!”
“… ‘n dreamt of journ’ying she’d do yet.”
“At summer’s height at the harbour!”
“She left me on the scaffold, torn.”
“At summer’s height! At summer’s height!”
“Our time – at end; my soul – forlorn.”
“At summer’s height at the harbour!”
“Our time together? Only t’was…”
“At summer’s height! At summer’s height!”
“… to realise our parting love.”
“At summer’s height at the harbour!”
“Creation’s pangs – inev’table – …”
“At summer’s height! At summer’s height!”
“… are sorrows welcomed; pain joyful.”
“At summer’s height at the harbour!”
“And so, to cheers, she’s leaving now…”
“At summer’s height! At summer’s height!”
“… to meet the future at her bow.”
“At summer’s height at the harbour!”
“I watched my love go floating out…”
“At summer’s height! At summer’s height!”
“… to sail ‘pon hist’ry’s waves, no doubt.”
“At summer’s height at the harbour!”
Image credit – The History Press
william altoft 