STRANGER, the bark you see before you says br That in old times and in her early days br She was a lively vessel that could make br The quickest voyages, and overtake br All her competitors with sail or oar; br And she defies the rude Illyrian shore, br And Rhodes with her proud harbor, and the seas br That intersect the scattered Cyclades, br And the Propontic and the Thracian coast, br (Bold as it is) to contradict her boast. br She calls to witness the dark Euxine sea br And mountains that had known her as a tree, br Before her transformation, when she stood br A native of the deep Cytorian wood, br Where all her ancestors had flourished long, br And, with their old traditionary song, br Had whispered her responses to the breeze. br And waked the chorus of her sister trees. br br Amastris, from your haven forth she went, br You witnessed her first outset and descent, br Adventuring on an unknown element. br From thence she bore her master safe and free br From danger and alarm through many a sea; br Nor ever once was known to lag behind, br Foremost on every tack, with every wind. br At last, to this fair inland lake, she says br She came to pass the remnant of her days, br Leaving no debt due to the Deities br For vows preferred in danger on the seas: br Clear of incumbrance, therefore, and all other br Contentious claims, to Castor or his brother br As a free gift and offering she devotes br Herself, as long as she survives and floats.