Classic and Contemporary Poetry
COLUMBUS [JANUARY, 1487], by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: St. Stephen's cloistered hall was proud Last Line: All glorious, -- yet forlorn. Variant Title(s): Columbus (january, 1487) Subject(s): Columbus, Christopher (1451-1506); Explorers; Exploring; Discovery; Discoverers | ||||||||
ST. STEPHEN's cloistered hall was proud In learning's pomp that day, For there a robed and stately crowd Pressed on in long array. A mariner with simple chart Confronts that conclave high, While strong ambition stirs his heart, And burning thoughts of wonder part From lip and sparkling eye. What hath he said? With frowning face, In whispered tones they speak, And lines upon their tablets trace, Which flush each ashen cheek; The Inquisition's mystic doom Sits on their brows severe, And bursting forth in visioned gloom, Sad heresy from burning tomb Groans on the startled ear. Courage, thou Genoese! Old Time Thy splendid dream shall crown; Yon Western Hemisphere sublime, Where unshorn forests frown, The awful Andes' cloud-wrapt brow, The Indian hunter's bow, Bold streams untamed by helm or prow, And rocks of gold and diamonds, thou To thankless Spain shalt show. Courage, World-finder! Thou hast need! In Fates' unfolding scroll, Dark woes and ingrate wrongs I read, That rack the noble soul. On! on! Creation's secrets probe, Then drink thy cup of scorn, And wrapped in fallen Caesar's robe, Sleep like that master of the globe, All glorious, -- yet forlorn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHACKLETON by MADELINE DEFREES AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE by ROBERT FROST CONCERNING THE RIGHT TO LIFE by JORIE GRAHAM THE HEAD ON THE TABLE by JOHN HAINES PSALM OF THE WEST: SONNET ON COLUMBUS: 1 by SIDNEY LANIER PSALM OF THE WEST: SONNET ON COLUMBUS: 2 by SIDNEY LANIER PSALM OF THE WEST: SONNET ON COLUMBUS: 3 by SIDNEY LANIER PSALM OF THE WEST: SONNET ON COLUMBUS: 4 by SIDNEY LANIER INDIAN NAMES by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY THE CORAL INSECT by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY THE INDIAN'S WELCOME TO THE PILGRIM FATHERS by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY |
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