Poems (King)/Columbus
For works with similar titles, see Columbus.
Columbus
WITH fascinated eye the gazer looks
Adown the vista of four hundred years,
While flash upon the canvas of the past
Dissolving views that chain his eager glance.
Adown the vista of four hundred years,
While flash upon the canvas of the past
Dissolving views that chain his eager glance.
I
See on the ocean's blue and crested waves
A proud ship rides, upon whose narrow deck
The captain walks, in meditation wrapped;
And now he lifts his gaze where nightly watch
Afar in azure depths, the patient stars,
The while he dreams of undiscovered lands,
That drink the beauty of these quenchless orbs.
Borne on the west wind's fragrant breath, he hears
Voices that call to him from shores far hid,
Beneath the blue horizon's rim. Then yearns
His mighty heart, to bear o'er ocean's waste
Christ and His truths divine to wandering souls.
Now, bending at the foot of kingly thrones,
With lips anoint of God, and heart athrill,
Columbus pleads for aid to find a world.
Anon, the dupe of princes, scoffed at, scorned,
Yet feels he still God's fire within him burn,
His soul resolved to seek the golden Ind.
A proud ship rides, upon whose narrow deck
The captain walks, in meditation wrapped;
And now he lifts his gaze where nightly watch
Afar in azure depths, the patient stars,
The while he dreams of undiscovered lands,
That drink the beauty of these quenchless orbs.
Borne on the west wind's fragrant breath, he hears
Voices that call to him from shores far hid,
Beneath the blue horizon's rim. Then yearns
His mighty heart, to bear o'er ocean's waste
Christ and His truths divine to wandering souls.
Now, bending at the foot of kingly thrones,
With lips anoint of God, and heart athrill,
Columbus pleads for aid to find a world.
Anon, the dupe of princes, scoffed at, scorned,
Yet feels he still God's fire within him burn,
His soul resolved to seek the golden Ind.
What though the world may scoff,
Yet will I never,
While throbs this heart of mine,
Cease my endeavor.
Far over sapphire seas
God will yet lead me,
Mary, my guiding star,
Haste thee to speed me.
Yet will I never,
While throbs this heart of mine,
Cease my endeavor.
Far over sapphire seas
God will yet lead me,
Mary, my guiding star,
Haste thee to speed me.
II
Like unto doves that build 'mid murmuring pines,
The sons of Francis the Seraphic dwelt
Within the convent of La Rabida,
Among the cypress groves that crowned the hill
O'erlooking liquid wastes. Beneath the sun
Of Andalusian hills, with answering look,
The many-twinkling smile of ocean gleamed;
While unto ears long deaf to traffic's din,
Oft came the soft, low murmur of the sea;
Anon the angry surge's distant roar
Seemed like the plaintive knell of passing souls.
The sons of Francis the Seraphic dwelt
Within the convent of La Rabida,
Among the cypress groves that crowned the hill
O'erlooking liquid wastes. Beneath the sun
Of Andalusian hills, with answering look,
The many-twinkling smile of ocean gleamed;
While unto ears long deaf to traffic's din,
Oft came the soft, low murmur of the sea;
Anon the angry surge's distant roar
Seemed like the plaintive knell of passing souls.
To-day, within the portal, spent and sad,
The sailor-guest of Father Perez sits,
Unfolding to the prior's listening ear
The daring plan that fills his world-worn heart.
Of hope deferred he speaks, and broken faith,
His soul e'er hearing a low voice divine
That bids him hasten o'er the western waves.
Columbus' kindling eye, and features lit
With noble purpose, touch the friar's soul,
And straightway knit the hearts of monk and guest
In friendship's ties. A suitor at the court,
The friar woos the aid of Castile's queen;
He wins his cause, and soon Columbus hastes
To seek that distant, ocean-girdled bourne.
The sailor-guest of Father Perez sits,
Unfolding to the prior's listening ear
The daring plan that fills his world-worn heart.
Of hope deferred he speaks, and broken faith,
His soul e'er hearing a low voice divine
That bids him hasten o'er the western waves.
Columbus' kindling eye, and features lit
With noble purpose, touch the friar's soul,
And straightway knit the hearts of monk and guest
In friendship's ties. A suitor at the court,
The friar woos the aid of Castile's queen;
He wins his cause, and soon Columbus hastes
To seek that distant, ocean-girdled bourne.
Like shining lance the sunbeams dance
Upon the rippling waves and hoary;
The sea breeze sings, and tidings brings
Of lands now bathed in sunset glory.
Upon the rippling waves and hoary;
The sea breeze sings, and tidings brings
Of lands now bathed in sunset glory.
Speed, sailor, speed, nor bodings heed
That bar thee from that beauteous vision;
Thy good ship trim the waves will skim,
And waft thee swift to lands elysian.
That bar thee from that beauteous vision;
Thy good ship trim the waves will skim,
And waft thee swift to lands elysian.
II
Now fades from sight the Andalusian shore,
And through the foam-wreathed waves, with swelling sails,
The squadron glides, its dauntless master calm,
Though, Atlas-like, upon him rests a world.
Week follows week, still in the sun's bright path
The vessels haste, on orient breezes borne,
'Mid sobbing waves and distant seagulls' call
Alone upon that sailless, lonely sea.
Fears blanch the sailors' cheek, and stout hearts sink,
Then fly from lip to lip fierce mutterings deep
And threatenings dire, against the master soul,
Within whose daring mind the cruise was planned.
Like sea-girt cliff, around whose rocky base
The breakers dash, their angry violence vain,
Columbus stands unmoved, but patient still,
He seeks to calm their groundless fears, and then
Bids them recall the wealth of far Cathay;
Her limpid streams that glide o'er sands of gold,
Caressed by breezes from dark groves of spice;
Pale, glistening pearls that rock in crystal seas,
Or starry diamonds hid within the sands.
Appeased by promise, moved by stern command,
The conquered sailors once more ply their tasks,
While deep in thought, the master climbs the tower,
Scanning, with eagle glance, the shimmering sea.
Hark! on the breath of dying day there floats,
In cadence sweetly sad, his page's voice:
And through the foam-wreathed waves, with swelling sails,
The squadron glides, its dauntless master calm,
Though, Atlas-like, upon him rests a world.
Week follows week, still in the sun's bright path
The vessels haste, on orient breezes borne,
'Mid sobbing waves and distant seagulls' call
Alone upon that sailless, lonely sea.
Fears blanch the sailors' cheek, and stout hearts sink,
Then fly from lip to lip fierce mutterings deep
And threatenings dire, against the master soul,
Within whose daring mind the cruise was planned.
Like sea-girt cliff, around whose rocky base
The breakers dash, their angry violence vain,
Columbus stands unmoved, but patient still,
He seeks to calm their groundless fears, and then
Bids them recall the wealth of far Cathay;
Her limpid streams that glide o'er sands of gold,
Caressed by breezes from dark groves of spice;
Pale, glistening pearls that rock in crystal seas,
Or starry diamonds hid within the sands.
Appeased by promise, moved by stern command,
The conquered sailors once more ply their tasks,
While deep in thought, the master climbs the tower,
Scanning, with eagle glance, the shimmering sea.
Hark! on the breath of dying day there floats,
In cadence sweetly sad, his page's voice:
Sunny skies, sunny skies,
Over the grieving sea,
Oft for you my spirit sighs;
Spain, my heart's with thee.
Fain I'd fix my tear-dimmed eyes
Where thy cloud-veiled mountains rise,
Over the ocean lea
Where the loyal ones, where the loving ones bide.
Over the grieving sea,
Oft for you my spirit sighs;
Spain, my heart's with thee.
Fain I'd fix my tear-dimmed eyes
Where thy cloud-veiled mountains rise,
Over the ocean lea
Where the loyal ones, where the loving ones bide.
Vine-clad home, vine-clad home;
Over the sail-winged sea,
While in alien lands I roam,
Come sweet dreams of thee.
Soon my bark o'er curling foam
Swift will fly to thee, sweet home,
Over the billowy lea,
Where the loyal ones, where the loving ones bide.
Over the sail-winged sea,
While in alien lands I roam,
Come sweet dreams of thee.
Soon my bark o'er curling foam
Swift will fly to thee, sweet home,
Over the billowy lea,
Where the loyal ones, where the loving ones bide.
The master heard, and brushed the gathering mist
From eyes where patient longing made a home,
But as he lifts his gaze, what dyes his cheek
With life's warm hue? Before his startled sight
Lies sandy beach with snowy lines of foam!
Exultant cries of "Land!" and cannon's roar
Declare his word made good, and loud proclaim
That unto Spain Columbus gives a world!
From eyes where patient longing made a home,
But as he lifts his gaze, what dyes his cheek
With life's warm hue? Before his startled sight
Lies sandy beach with snowy lines of foam!
Exultant cries of "Land!" and cannon's roar
Declare his word made good, and loud proclaim
That unto Spain Columbus gives a world!
IV
In Barcelona's royal city now
Gay banners float in silken glory where
Men gather for a holiday, and joy
Looks from each eye and wreaths each face in smiles.
From balconies bright garlands hang; rare flowers
Sway in the idle breeze. Gay cavaliers
Speed to the city gates—an escort brave
For him, the foremost sailor of all time,
Who now, in truth, a conquering hero comes.
And lo! within a vast and splendid hall,
Beneath a silken canopy of state,
Spain's mighty monarchs sit. In graceful groups
Stand haughty grandees, bright in gorgeous robes;
And here are beauteous ladies, whose bright eyes
Vie with the jewels in their dusky hair.
Gay banners float in silken glory where
Men gather for a holiday, and joy
Looks from each eye and wreaths each face in smiles.
From balconies bright garlands hang; rare flowers
Sway in the idle breeze. Gay cavaliers
Speed to the city gates—an escort brave
For him, the foremost sailor of all time,
Who now, in truth, a conquering hero comes.
And lo! within a vast and splendid hall,
Beneath a silken canopy of state,
Spain's mighty monarchs sit. In graceful groups
Stand haughty grandees, bright in gorgeous robes;
And here are beauteous ladies, whose bright eyes
Vie with the jewels in their dusky hair.
Erect among the flower of Spanish knights,—
A glittering throng of lords,—Columbus walks;
Nor Roman senator, in toga clad,
Surpassed this stately finder of a world.
Now proudly humble, on his knee he sinks
Before the throne, when, with a royal grace,
As if a prince were there, the sovereigns rise
In honor of their Admiral of Spain!
A glittering throng of lords,—Columbus walks;
Nor Roman senator, in toga clad,
Surpassed this stately finder of a world.
Now proudly humble, on his knee he sinks
Before the throne, when, with a royal grace,
As if a prince were there, the sovereigns rise
In honor of their Admiral of Spain!
Now Ferdinand and Isabella drink,
With glowing eye and flushing cheek, and tale
Of sunset lands; of gaily-plumaged birds,
Whose songs bewitch the heart; of trees festooned
With trailing vines and bright with scarlet blooms;
Of lofty palms whose graceful, feathery crowns
Sway to and fro upon the sighing breeze.
With glowing eye and flushing cheek, and tale
Of sunset lands; of gaily-plumaged birds,
Whose songs bewitch the heart; of trees festooned
With trailing vines and bright with scarlet blooms;
Of lofty palms whose graceful, feathery crowns
Sway to and fro upon the sighing breeze.
As leap bright tongues of flame, from tree to tree,
So spreads the fire of gratitude to him,
Who, from old ocean's fierce and mighty grasp,
Tore this proud land, henceforth its gem to be;
And as the arrow from the bowstring flies,
Then from the hearts of monarchs, courtiers, all,
Uprose a glad Te Deum on the air
To touch the throne of the Eternal God.
So spreads the fire of gratitude to him,
Who, from old ocean's fierce and mighty grasp,
Tore this proud land, henceforth its gem to be;
And as the arrow from the bowstring flies,
Then from the hearts of monarchs, courtiers, all,
Uprose a glad Te Deum on the air
To touch the throne of the Eternal God.
O sailor great,
Thy happy fate
'Neath Castile's royal flag unfurled,
Thy ships to guide
O'er darkening tide,
And lift the veil that hid a world!
Thy happy fate
'Neath Castile's royal flag unfurled,
Thy ships to guide
O'er darkening tide,
And lift the veil that hid a world!
Each heart doth swell
As others tell
Of thy great deeds, fair Genoa's son;
Thy peerless name
With deathless fame
Is linked, till time its course has run!
As others tell
Of thy great deeds, fair Genoa's son;
Thy peerless name
With deathless fame
Is linked, till time its course has run!