Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-05-04
THE PISTON OF CoLuMBUs,
Ode by W. A. Croffut, Read at the Open
ing of the Worlds Fair.

THE PISiOR OF COIUMBES.
Ode by W. A. Croffut, Read at the Open.
ing of the Worlds Fair.
Sadly Columbus watched the nascent moon
Drown in the gloomy oceans western
deeps
Strange Birds that day had huttered in the
SAILS.
And strange flowers floated round the
wandering keel
And yet no land. And now, when, through
the DARK
The santa Maria leaped before the gale,
And angry pillows tossed the carayrls.
A. 70 destruction, Gomez Rascon came,
With Captain PinSon, through The fren-
zied seas
And to the Admiral brought parchment
Saying Good master, read this writing
An earnest prayer it is from all on board,
The crew would fain turn back in utter
fear.
No longer 10 the pole the compass points,
Into the zenith crops the Northern Star;
nu saw hut yester eve an albatross
Drop dead on deck beneath the fying scud
Inc dew! $ wind blows nladly from the
Into the land of nowhere, and the sea
heeps sucking rs adown the maes,rom's
NAV,
Francisco says the edge Of earth is near,
And on 10 Erehus We slide unhelmed.
Last sunday night Diego saw a witch,
Dragging the Nina by her forechains west
Aud wildly dancing ON dolphin's back;
Ana as she danced the brightest star IN
heaven
slipped from its leash and sprang into the
sea
Like Lucifer. and left a trail Of blood.
pray thee. Master, turn again to SPAIN"
,lpedient 10 the omens, or, perchance.
Inc teTroF'stficken crew, to escape their
doom,
May matiny and Gomez Rascon,
peace
Exclaimed the admiral; Thou hast said
enough
Now, prithee leave ME; would be alone. !"
Then eagerly Columbus sought a sign.
"a sea and SKY and N his lonely heart.
FIhIing, instead Of presages Of hope
ne pIacK ana omlnous purtents Of despair
As thus he mused he paced the afterdeck
And gazed upon the luminous waves astern
strange life was IN the phosphorescent
foam
And through the goblin glow there came
and went,
Like elm shadows un an opal sea,
tirophetc pictures Of land he sought.
he saw Dlale on lsabellAs breast,
\ string Of Antllean Jewels rest
The Islands of the West
lie saw invading plenty dispossess
pli poverty the land with bounty bless.
Ana through the wretched caverns of dis
treSS
Walk star-eyed happiness
lie saw the Bourbon and Braganza prone
n
tiylngthe plunaered people back their own
And lying from the throne.
ie saw an empire raiian, as the day.
haFAessed to law, but under freedom ;
swav
Proudly arise. resplendent in array
10 show the world the way.
lie saw celestial peace in mortal guise
Aha Lilci With hope and thrilled with
high umprlse.
Lifting is tranquil forehead to the skies,
a vast republic rise.
Iie saw beyond the hills Of golden corn.
beyond the curve Of autUmns opulent
horn,
Gere, and Flora laughingIy adorn
he bosom ol the morn.
| He saw a cloth of gold across the rloom
| An arahcsqne from evolution loom.
Ahi irom the barren Prairies driven
splmc
Imperial cities bloom.
He saw an iron dragon dashing forth
/ AtphS an iron thOrpuShfarc- north
| EaHt west uniting in benelicent rirth
iemotest ends Of earth.
IIe saw the Lightning run al elm race
lace
I And absent ones anntAiIate time andsraca.
4 C9mmuning face 70 face,
He saw relief through deadly dungeons
gr0pc,
Foes turned 10 brothers, black despair 10
hope "
Ana cannon rust upon the grass grown
And rot the galiows rope.
lie saw the babes On labor's cottage floor,
4 Inc bright walls hung with luxury more
and more,
And comfort radiant with Astounding
! store, &c
Wave welcome 70 the door.
He saw the myriad rpindles antter round.
me myriad homes where iOcund JOY i
And love Is throned and crowned
iie saw exalted ignorance under ban.
lhough PAhophcd IN force since time be.
gan.
And science, consecrated, lead the van
The providence Of man.
The picture came and pa,ed and passsd
away,
And then he said 10 Pinzon In the gloom.
Vow, Martin, TO thy waiting helm a.,ain
Haste 10 the finta, westward Keen III
] prov.
For have had vision full Of light
Keep her PROV westward III tic sunset, {
wake
From This hour hence, and let 10 man look
back
Then from the Pinta's foretop fcll 4 crv
\ TRUMPET, song, Light, no. Light, DO
Light, hp r.