O’er the stormy, pathless seas,
Nobly proud, the Genoese
To a shadowed realm sailed;
With a will to brave and bear,
Sought he chance to do and dare,
’Mid the perils he must share
That Earth’s grandeur be unveiled.
Pilgrims sailed to lighted shores,
Hope and Home with open doors,
But thro’ dusky deeps, unknown,
Boldly this explorer plowed,
Facing danger’s darkling crowd
And Fate’s looming, gestant cloud,
From the waste of waters blown.
Heaven gave to him a soul
Finely fashioned to control
With a wondrous spirit might—
That should sweep of doubt and fear,
Broad and bright, a pathway clear—
By it lift a hemisphere
Into Freedom’s joyous light.
Purpose, daring were sublime—
His the crowning deeds of Time;
Life, for others’ gain, was spent
Opening Earth’s great treasure-doors—
Half a world with Bounty’s stores—
Mountains, rich in precious ores—
Caves with sparkling gems besprent.
Justice gave unquestioned claim
To the highest niche of Fame,
But what recompense was Spain’s?
She, thro’ craven sons of lust,
Honor stabbed, with feigned distrust—
Trampled his great soul in dust,
Scorned and loaded him with chains.
Now she comes to steal his bones:
Earth revile! In thunder tones
Tell the tale of wrong and shame;
Write this edict out in flame—
In the hemisphere he gave,
(Which he begged might be his grave)
She, of Greed, the wasted slave,
Shall have nevermore a name.