The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-10-12


far in azure depths. the patient stars. Z
he while he dreams of undiscovered lands,
That drink the beauty of these quenchless orbs.
3orne on the west winds fragrant breath, he
hearS
Voices tnat call to him from shores far hid.
Beneath the blue horizons rim. Then yearns
His mighty heart. to bear o'er oceans waste
Christ and his truths divine to wandering souls.
NOW. bending at the foot of kingly thrones.
W iLh lips anoilt of God. and heart athrill,
pleads for aid TO Fl nd world.
Anon the dupe of princes, scoffed at, scorned,
Y. t fe he still Gods fire within him burn.
And resolute his soul to seek the golden Ind.
What though the world may scef,
Yet will never.
While throbs this heart of mine,
Cease my endeavor.
Far sapphire seas
God will yet lead me.
Mary my guiding st~r,
Haste thee 10 speed me.
IL.
Like unto doves that build mid murmurine
pines.
The sons of Francis the Seraphic dwelt
Within the walls O La Rabida, hid
among the cy press groves that crowned the hill
Overlooking liquid miles. Beneath the sun
of Andalusia lair, with answering look,
he many .twinkling Sun le of ocean cleaned;
While unto ears long de If to traf1c's din.
Oft CANA the soft, low murmur of the sea,
non the angry surge's distant roar
seemed like the plaintive knell of passing souls
Today within the pertal. spent and sad.
rhe sailor guest of Father Perez sits.
Unfolding to the prior's listening ear
The daring plan that fills his world worn heart
of hopes deferred he speaks. and broken faith,
f long years wasted at the court of kings,
Yet hears within his SOU voice divine,
rnat bids him hasten o'er the wester waves.
Columbus kinding eye. and features lit
With noble purpose touched the friar's soul.
| And straightWay knit the hearts uf monk and
guest
| In fri, ndship's ties. suitor at the court,
rhe friar WOos the aid of CASTLES queen;
| He wins his cause. and soon does colon haste
To seek that distant ocean -girdled bourne.
| Like shining lance the sunbeams dance
Upon the ripping waves and hoary;
The sea breeze sings and tidngs brings
OF lands now bathed in sunset glory.
Speed sailor, speed. nor bodings heed
That bar thee from the beauteous vision
Thy good ship trim the waves will skim.
III.
Now fades from sight the AMdalusian shore,
And through the foam wreathed waves, with
swelling sails.
The SQUADRON glioes its dauntless ter, calm
Though, Atlas like. upon him rests a world.
week follows week. still in the SUMS bright patti
The vessels has te on orient breezes borne,
mid sobbing waves and distant sea gulls' call
/ tha l0n0lV
Fears blanche tho sailors cheeks, and stou
hearts sink.
Then fly from lip to lip, fierce mutterings deep
And threatenings dire against the master soul
Within whose teeming mind the cruise wa
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 ground]ess fears and the
Bids them recall the wealth of far GATEWAY;
Her limpid stream that gil e DER sands OF gol
Caressed by breezes from the spicy groves.
Pale glistening pearls that rock in crystal sea
Or starry diamonds hid within the sands
Then, in twinkliug. stern he spake and bold
The captain General of this feet am 1,
Sailing wit royal orders o'er this sea;
A bootless task to seek TO change its course,
The Indies. with Gods blessing. waits my ship
The conquered sailors once more ply their task
, While deep in thought. the master climbs tn
tower,
Scanning with eagle glance the shimmering sea
Hark on the breath Of dying day Ghere float
In cadence sweetly sad. his Dage's voice:
sunny skies. sunny skies.
O'er the waters blue,
Oft for ye my spirit sighs;
Spain my hearts with yon,
Fain I'D fix my tear dimm eyes
Where thy cloud-veiled mountains rise.
Over the biJlows blue.
- ith the loyal hearts. with the noble hear
and truea
Vine-ciad home. yiDe-clad home;
, Over the sail-w inged sea,
While in alien lands [ roam.
r Come sweet dreams OF thee.
Soon my bark o'er urling foam
Swift will fly TO thee. sweet homes
O'er the billowy lea,
\ To the gentle hearts. to the loving hearts an
free Z"
f The master heard, and brushed the gatherin
mist
From eyes VIII re patient longing made home
But as he lifts his gaze. what dies his cheek
g With lies warm hue2 Befor his startled sigf
Lay sandy beech with snowy lines of foami
Exultant cries of LandP' and cannon's roar
Declare his word m de good and loud proclaiI
. That unto Spain Columbus gives wordl
"
In Barcelona's royal city now.
GAY banners fl BAT in silken glory. there;
Men gather as for gala day. and joy
Looks from eacn g. e. and wreathes each face
smiles,
From balconies bright garlands hang; raj
flowers
f Uprise their pertumed breath. Gay cavalier
/ speed to the city gates an escort brave
f For that intrepid sailor of the seas.
VINO now, in truth, a conquering hero come
Q And, 10! within vast and splendid hall,
Beneath a silh en- canopy of state,
/ Spain's mighty monarchs sit +; in graceful grouI
stand naughty grandees. bright in gorgeou
robes;
And; here are blooming ladies. whose brigf
Vie with the jewels ling in their curls.
Erect among the flower of Spanish knighte.
A giittering throng of lords. Columbus walks
Nor koman Senator. in toga clad.
Surpassed this stately finder of q world.
Now, proudly humble on his knee, he sinks
Before the throne, when, with a royal grace.
A S if prince were there. the sovereigns rise.
In honor OF their Admiral OF Spain!
Now Ferdinand and Isabella drink.
l With glowing eye and flushing cheek. the tai
OF sunset lands; OF brightly plumaged birds.
Whose songs did witch the heart; of trees fes
TONED
With trailing vines, and bright with scarle
blooms;
OF lofty palms whose graceful feathery Gro wn
| Swayed to and fro upon the signing breeze,
AS leap bright tongues of flame from tree t.
| tree,
} So spread the fire ef gratitude to him,
W no from old oceans fierce and mighty grasp
Tore our proud land, henceforth its gem to be
And as the arrow from the bow-string flies.
Thus from the hearts OF monarchs. courtiers, all
, Uprose glad TIE Deum on the air
Unto the throne of the Eternal God,
o Sailor great
Thy happy fate
Meath CASTLE e's royal flag unfurled,
Thy ships to guide