Of Expeditions in the Arctic Past,

All honor to the one that reached the pole

And formed a settlement where every soul

Enjoyed full freedom. There above the blast,

How musical the bell, by Justice cast!

It welcomed all to come. It ceased to toll

After a while, but why? Those, welcomed, stole

And dragged it where the ice formed thick and fast.

Of Arctic Expeditions there is none

So profitable to the human race

As that toward Freedom's pole, and hence men face

All storms to reach it. If they fail, the sun

Has but one joy—to thaw out wrecks, and trace

Man's progress where alone it can be done.