| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1360. The Polar Quest |
| | | By Richard Burton |
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| UNCONQUERABLY, men venture on the quest | |
| And seek an ocean amplitude unsailed, | |
| Cold, virgin, awful. Scorning ease and rest, | |
| And heedless of the heroes who have failed, | |
| They face the ice floes with a dauntless zest. | 5 |
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| The polar quest! Life’s offer to the strong! | |
| To pass beyond the pale, to do and dare, | |
| Leaving a name that stirs us like a song. | |
| And making captive some strange Otherwhere, | |
| Though grim the conquest, and the labor long. | 10 |
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| Forever courage kindles, faith moves forth | |
| To find the mystic floodway of the North. | |
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