Activity 4: Sea Fever by John Masefield

Activity 4:  Read the poem Sea Fever by John Masefield. 

a) Find examples of rhyme patterns, alliteration & repetition in the poem

b) what effect do these techniques have on you?  Why do you think Masefield uses them? Choose a couple of examples to comment on.

I must go down to the seas again , to the lonely sea and the sky

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song, and the white sail’s shaking

And a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call, and a clear call, that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying

And the flung spray and the brown spume, and  the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life

To the gull’s way, and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream, when the long trick’s over.