The Merchant Fleet

We rise and fall in revolts ill-planned and doomed
Tired of inventing ruses
To be more than a name on some tomb
We could not refuse it
But you fearful, slavish souls
You’re hiding behind moat walls
You dagger, you noose
Clinched to desks, nailed to benches, tied to counters
While all around us hell is breaking loose
Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, as mercenaries?
Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, in the merchant fleet?
We rise and fall like the winter wheat
With yellow eyes of grain
Not knowing what worlds are confused
With the one we name
You fearful, devilish souls
Hiding behind moat walls
Doing time, clinched to desks
Nailed to benches, tied to counters
While the men around us are no less torn
Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, as mercenaries?
Are we to pine forever on this raging sea, in the merchant fleet?