The Naval Constructor

He looked upon the ships as they
  All idly lay at anchor,
Their sides with gorgeous workmen gay⁠—
  The riveter and planker⁠—

Republicans and Democrats,
  Statesmen and politicians.
He saw the swarm of prudent rats
  Swimming for land positions.

He marked each “belted cruiser” fine,
  Her poddy life-belts floating
In tether where the hungry brine
  Impinged upon her coating.

He noted with a proud regard,
  As any of his class would,
The poplar mast and poplar yard
  Above the hull of bass-wood.

He saw the Eastlake frigate tall,
  With quaintly carven gable,
Hip-roof and dormer-window⁠—all
  With ivy formidable.

In short, he saw our country’s hope
  In best of all conditions⁠—
Equipped, to the last spar and rope,
  By working politicians.

He boarded then the noblest ship
  And from the harbor glided.
“Adieu, adieu!” fell from his lip.
  Verdict: “He suicided.”