Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE COLUMBUS PARADE, 1893, by STARR HOYT NICHOLS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE COLUMBUS PARADE, 1893, by                    
First Line: Huge warships of all nations side by side
Last Line: The fragile oak of christopher's caravel.
Subject(s): Columbus, Christopher (1451-1506); Explorers; New York City - 19th Century; Parades; Exploring; Discovery; Discoverers


Huge warships of all nations side by side,
Oarless and sailless, heedless of the breeze
Drive their colossal prow with conquering ease
Against the thrusting of an adverse tide;
And 'mid them three curved caravels—the pride
Of bold Columbus, when he clove the seas,
The windy sport of what storm-gods might please,
Seeking strange ports where keel did never ride,
Yet these leviathans are proud to dip
Their bright flags to the pigmy counterpart
Of his slight ships; and from the flame-wreathed lip
Of thundering cannon cheer his dauntless heart.
Greater than Cæsar's fortunes carried well
The fragile oak of Christopher's caravel.





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