In this delightful poem, which expresses the affection of God and the Cosmos for a small infant, Yeats is refering to the Pleiades, also known as M45, the Seven Sisters, SED, or Subaru. It's an open cluster in the constellation Taurus that actually has nine named stars in it. The Pleiades were nymphs, the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea nymph Pleione -- their group name is derived from their mother's name. The cluster is visible in the Mediterranean at night during the summer from mid-May to early November, which was the sailing season in antiquity -- thus they are known as "The Sailing Seven".
The "Sailing Seven" refers to the Big Dipper constellation, which according to Irish folklore, contains the spirits of seven sailors who drowned at sea. Yeats likens the rocking motion of a cradle to the movement of the stars, connecting the comfort and protection of a mother's presence to the constancy and guidance of the celestial bodies.
The term "cradle of civilization" often refers to Mesopotamia, which is modern day Iraq, western Iran, and eastern Syria.
Mercator Sailing refers to technique used to deal with the problem of course and distance in the maritime world.
"Rope sailing," also known as "sailing rope" refers to all the different types of things made out of rope that are used in sailing. It can include long lengths of rope or small buckles made with small lengths of rope.
A stock reel is a roll of a film holding a series of frames together while a stock cradle refers to something that was nurtured in its early existence.
In the ballad "The Ballad of William Sycamore" by Stephen Vincent Benet, a Salem clipper refers to a fast and sleek sailing ship that was commonly built in Salem, Massachusetts during the 19th century. These ships were known for their speed and agility, making them ideal for trade and warfare. In the ballad, the Salem clipper symbolizes the protagonist's longing for adventure and escape from his mundane life.
The "main" refers to the ocean and "bounding" describes it's action as felt from the deck of a sailboat.
The term aft in sailing lingo refers to the rear area of the boat. The aft portion may also be described as the are closer to the stern of the vessel. These are interchangeable.
A sailing ship is referred to nowadays as any large wind-powered vessel. Generally you will find that these ships are completely powered by a series of masts and sales.
Merchant vessels sailing together was known as a convoy, much used in World War II, with escorting warships, and aircraft when possible.
A reach refers to sailing with the wind direction ranging from slightly ahead of the beam to almost direct abaft the direction of travel. A following sea means the waves are coming from behind the boat. This is a typical point of sail for long range sailing and trade winds traders.
Claud Butler refers to a London-based bicycle dealer and frame-builder. Before World War II, he was known for having the most successful bicycle company.
In "Desirée's Baby" by Kate Chopin, the term "furbishings" refers to the decorative elements or adornments of the cradle made of willow. It suggests the elaborate and ornate details that enhance the overall appearance and beauty of the cradle, emphasizing its elegance and sophistication.