I saw it more as him not wanting to sing the next line: “O Death, come close mine eyes...” because he didn’t want to acknowledge that they were likely already dead men walking. They missed the opportunities to both safely overwinter east of King William Land and to send Crozier’s immediate rescue party. Morfin, one of the more experienced sailors, likely knew it was over then, and that was before the lead poisoning, botulism, and scurvy really set in. He’s singing a literal swan song for his shipmates.
The silver swan, who living had no note, When death approached, unlocked her silent throat; Leaning her breast against the reedy shore, Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more: “Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes; More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise
One of the most powerful moment of the Terror
Those poor men
John Morfin (singing) is showing early signs of lead poisoning by forgetting the words :(
Possible, but maybe he just forgot the words? But I never thought of it your way. Definitely sadder if so.
I saw it more as him not wanting to sing the next line: “O Death, come close mine eyes...” because he didn’t want to acknowledge that they were likely already dead men walking. They missed the opportunities to both safely overwinter east of King William Land and to send Crozier’s immediate rescue party. Morfin, one of the more experienced sailors, likely knew it was over then, and that was before the lead poisoning, botulism, and scurvy really set in. He’s singing a literal swan song for his shipmates.
The silver swan, who living had no note,
When death approached, unlocked her silent throat;
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more:
“Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise
Uanderful