The voyage of Columbus[Poem] . 6 Brave womans love of duty took the risk Mans cold and cautious judgment would not take. And so Columbus gained his long-sought fleet, Three little vessels to sail oer the sea,— An unknown sea, a fearful ocean waste, Which all the world had shunned in ages past. His fleet was manned by crews fraught with distrust, For they knew little of his studied plans. They left the port of Palos faint at heart. With fervent blessings for their souls and voyage. The western winds blew heavy on their sails. And western waves their vessels roughly beat, To thus drive back, as
The voyage of Columbus[Poem] . 6 Brave womans love of duty took the risk Mans cold and cautious judgment would not take. And so Columbus gained his long-sought fleet, Three little vessels to sail oer the sea,— An unknown sea, a fearful ocean waste, Which all the world had shunned in ages past. His fleet was manned by crews fraught with distrust, For they knew little of his studied plans. They left the port of Palos faint at heart. With fervent blessings for their souls and voyage. The western winds blew heavy on their sails. And western waves their vessels roughly beat, To thus drive back, as storms had ever done. All who had sought far westward to explore. But waves had genius now to meet their strength, Which knew the breadth of these dire dashing seas ; And so the fleet sailed bravely on its course To southern clime, where counter-winds prevailed, Until the fair Canary Isles were seen So grandly rising gainst the southern sky, Above the ocean where the east winds blow. The main peak in their centre, Teneriffe,. Appeared above the misty, floating clouds,—A fearful mountain, belching fire and smoke. 17 Which scared the homesick crews, and then gave cheer To know in fact the land had not all sunk Below the world of waves, inspiring hope While safe they anchored to refit their ships And gain a resting on their daring voyage. And then God help them ! They again set sail, To plunge their vessels into unknown seas. The east winds, first reluctant, at length pushed Them bravely on ; but, when the tall isles sank Below the outlines of the lonely waves. Their spirits also sank, and fears appalled. The last safe link was broken in their minds. The dear old world their fathers ranged so long, They left behind, to toss on unknown seas. Day after day the east winds blew them on. While oceans waves ran constantly behind ; And, when they overtook, with bowing heads They placed their strong, broad shoulders underneath The heavy transoms of the tardy fleet. And pushed them onw
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectcolumbuschristopher
