Now Finale to the Shore
Now Finale to the Shore - meaning Summary
Farewell Voyage Into Eternity
Whitman addresses a seasoned voyager in a brief farewell that frames a final departure as both literal voyage and metaphor for the end of life. The speaker urges the sailor to complete practicalities, embrace friends, and then embark on an "endless cruise," suggesting acceptance, continuity, and calm resignation rather than fear. The poem turns seafaring imagery into a consoling meditation on mortality and the peaceful, onward journey beyond familiar shores.
Read Complete AnalysesNOW finale to the shore! Now, land and life, finale, and farewell! Now Voyager depart! (much, much for thee is yet in store;) Often enough hast thou adventur’d o’er the seas, Cautiously cruising, studying the charts, Duly again to port, and hawser’s tie, returning: —But now obey, thy cherish’d, secret wish, Embrace thy friends—leave all in order; To port, and hawser’s tie, no more returning, Depart upon thy endless cruise, old Sailor!
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