| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 923. At Best |
| | | By John Boyle O’Reilly |
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| THE FAITHFUL helm commands the keel, | |
| From port to port fair breezes blow; | |
| But the ship must sail the convex sea, | |
| Nor may she straighter go. | |
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| So, man to man; in fair accord, | 5 |
| On thought and will the winds may wait; | |
| But the world will bend the passing word, | |
| Though its shortest course be straight. | |
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| From soul to soul the shortest line | |
| At best will bended be: | 10 |
| The ship that holds the straightest course | |
| Still sails the convex sea. | |
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