Cecil Northrop "Me" Poem and Preface, 1923
Transcription of Poem
A fool there was and he went to sea,Even as you and I,
The poets they called it brave and free
But only a fool will follow the sea
Even as you and I.
A fool there was and his life was spent
In a vile hole that was never meant
For a thing God his image lent,
But we go to sea by our own consent
For only a fool knows a fool’s content
Even as you and I
Oh! The love we’ve lost and the joy we’ve lost
And the delights of the home we planned
Are worn by the man who stayed at home
Who had brains and sense,
And a whole lot more of things we don’t quite understand
Even as you and I
A fool there was and he lost his stride
And all he owns is his foolish hide
Which is carefully fleeced then flung aside
To sink or float on the deep sea tide
Where some of him lived but most of him lied
Even as you and I.
Transcription of Preface
These notes are not written through the motive of conceit, imagining that my life is more interesting than thousands nay, millions of others which have gone before. There is no attempt at style or literary effort. There may be no continuity, or order. It is merely a medium in which I seek relief. A harbor for these knocks life gives, a thanksgiving for life‘s pleasures. A means of relieving that desire to confide. A confessor for those thoughts which must come to all mortals, and which even to your dearest friend you dare not give utterance. If in the years to come when life’s battles (I should say struggle for in the word battle there lies a fairness) have long ceased to send the blood pounding to my brain, I can look through this book and see that I have profited by experience, I will feel that the hours spent in the confessional of these covers has not been wasted. At any event every word every line is sincere. They are my thoughts good or bad.Belfast Ireland January 7, 1923