Odyssey From Africa - Stargazing 1

King Ptolemy the Second (cont.) Sleek of line for speedy sailing It was rugged in construction Several layers of well cured timber Lined the hull and bridge and gunwales There were four great masts with mainsails Han surveyed its scale and features And was overwhelmed with wonder At such masterful shipbuilding As the king now hailed the vessel “Here she is, the ship Australis, Carrier of our adventure To explore and seek the Southland” Han replied thus to the monarch, “This is surely the most awesome Ship that ever was constructed! And that brings me to my question “How can I assist this project? What on earth can I contribute? For this craftsmanship is greater Far than my own humble boat craft” And King Ptolemy then answered “There is one thing you can bring us, Since you are a foremost master In the making of the small boat “Nimble yet with strong construction Crafted from a life’s experience Fishing on the open ocean Riding waves and tides and tempests “For my ship will need some lifeboats We must guard against disaster If our craft should break and founder In the lifeboats can be safety” Han thus learned of his employment And forthwith began the project That would last two moons’ duration Making lifeboats with the shipwright Stargazing Work however yet awaited The respite of night and morning Now was time for evening dinner And the king now led them forward Up the gangplank to the vessel And they boarded the Australis Took their places round a table That was waiting on the main deck Here they dined in royal fashion Waited on by palace servants In the seaside evening coolness. Then appeared upon the foredeck Artists bringing entertainment Singers, dancers and musicians Playing strings and pipes and tom-toms And the merriment continued Long into the tranquil evening As the stars rose in a clear sky Han and Kwona and the children Were enchanted by the music Kwona had to stop her husband Staring spellbound at the dancers Then the king called Han aside and They together left the vessel Both men climbed aboard a chariot Pulled along by dogs at harness And they travelled with their escort From the port of Cannabarro By an uphill winding road Until they reached a grassy hilltop Where a solitary building Sat atop the rounded summit They were ushered through the doorway By a group of royal scholars Who were busy still at nighttime In the king’s observatory