Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question.
A Life on the Ocean Wave
by Epes Sargent
andensp;andemsp;andemsp;A life on the ocean wave,
andensp;andemsp;andemsp;A home on the rolling deep,
andensp;andemsp;andemsp;Where the scattered waters rave,
andensp;andemsp;andensp;And the winds their revels keep!
(5) andensp;andensp;Like an eagle caged, I pine1
andemsp;andemsp; On this dull, unchanging shore:
andemsp;andemsp; Oh! give me the flashing brine2,
andemsp;andemsp; The spray and the tempest's3 roar!
andemsp;andemsp; Once more on the deck I stand
(10) Of my own swift-gliding craft:
andemsp;andemsp; Set sail! Farewell to the land!
andemsp;andemsp; The gale4 follows fair abaft5.
andemsp;andemsp; We shoot through the sparkling foam
andemsp;andemsp; Like an ocean-bird set free;
(15) -Like the ocean-bird, our home
andemsp;andemsp; We'll find far out on the sea.
andemsp;andemsp; The land is no longer in view,
andemsp;andemsp; The clouds have begun to frown;
andemsp;andemsp; But with a stout vessel6 and crew,
(20) We'll say, "Let the storm come down!"
andemsp;andemsp; And the song of our hearts shall be,
andemsp;andemsp; While the winds and the waters rave,
andemsp;andemsp; A home on the rolling sea!
andemsp;andemsp; A life on the ocean wave!
1 pine: to want something badly
2 brine: salt water
3 tempest: storm
4 gale: strong wind
5 abaft: behind
6 vessel: ship