THE NEW WORLD'S QUEEN by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR

SWIFT to the Queen, Saint Angel came —
Resolute, fearless, his heart aflame;
Swift to the Queen, by Granada's gate,
Lest tidings should fall too late, too late:
'Columbus is parting for France! alas,
If he and his wondrous purpose pass
From Spain for ever! for sure am I
He will sail and find where the Indies lie;
And renown and splendor that might be yours
As long as the land or the sea endures,
And gain to the Church of realms unknown
Will all, alas! to the winds be thrown!
Oh, Sovereign Lady! call him back
As north he speeds on his cheerless track,
For, over the vast, mysterious seas,
Glory will sail with the Genoese!'

Coifed and kerchiefed with Flanders lace,
Isabel sat in her royal place;
Her robe, of velvet, with broidered hems;
On her bosom a cross whose priceless gems
Flashed from the burnished bars to tell
Of the holy faith she loved so well; —
Sat, and listened, and thought of him
Who had waited and prayed till hope grew dim;
And a new light beamed from her eyes of blue,
And the world spread wide to her spirit's view.
Ferdinand, King, turned cold away
From the suppliant fleeing to France that day;
Castile's rich coffers by wars were drained;
But her jewels, her jewels at least remained! —
And, rising, regally calm and fair,
Ready the boldest quest to dare:
@3'For my crown of Castile I will undertake
The enterprise, and my jewels stake
To pay the cost of the voyage!'@1 she said.
With a blessing Saint Angel bowed his head,
And a courier spurred from the Queen to stay
Columbus, leagues on his lonely way.
'Twas an April morn; but when the sheaves
Were ripe, and Granada's yellowing leaves
To earth by the autumn blasts were whirled,
He had sought and found the great New World!
Aye! over the vast, mysterious seas,
Glory had sailed with the Genoese,
And with fadeless bays for her brow serene,
Dowered Isabella — the New World's Queen!

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