Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SONG OF THE SPANISH MAIN, by JOHN BENNETT (1865-1956)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SONG OF THE SPANISH MAIN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Out in the south, when the day is done
Last Line: Then, hush, forevermore.
Subject(s): National Songs; Singing & Singers; Southern Hemisphere; Spain; War; National Anthems; Songs


OUT in the south, when the day is done,
And the gathered winds go free,
Where golden-sanded rivers run,
Fair islands fade in the sinking sun,
And the great ships stagger, one by one,
Up from the windy sea.

Out in the south, when a twilight shroud
Hangs over the ocean's rim,
Sail on sail, like floating cloud,
Galleon, brigantine, cannon-browed,
Rich from the Indies, homeward crowd,
Singing a Spanish hymn.

Out in the south, when the sun has set
And her lightning flickers pale,
The cannon bellow their deadly threat,
The ships grind, all in a crimson sweat,
And hoarse throats call, "Have you stricken yet?"
Across the quarter-rail.

Out in the south, in the dead of night,
When I hear the thunder speak,
'T is the Englishmen in their pride and might,
Mad with glory and blind with fight,
Locked with the Spaniards, left and right,
Fighting them cheek and cheek;

Out in the south, when the dawn's pale light
Walks cold on the beaten shore,
And the mists of night like clouds of fight,
Silvery violet, blinding bright,
Drift in glory from height to height
Where the white-tailed eagles soar;

There comes a song through the salt and spray,
Blood-kin to the ocean's roar;
"All day long down Florez way
Richard Grenville stands at bay.
Come and take him if ye may!"
Then, hush, forevermore.





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