Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONGS OF NEW SWEDEN: 1.THE COMING OF PRINTZ, by ARTHUR PETERSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONGS OF NEW SWEDEN: 1.THE COMING OF PRINTZ, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What flag is that? What ships are they
Last Line: Where printz's hall is built.
Subject(s): Colonialism; Sweden


What flag is that? What ships are they
Which round Henlopen's cape,
And o'er the blue waves of the bay,
Their gallant courses shape?
'Tis warlike Sweden's banner bright;
And hers these vessels three,
Which long have stretched their wings in flight,
Fame, Swan, and Charity.
Behind the old world looms in dreams,
The new world lies before,
A land like paradise it seems
To Printz, the governor.

A soldier he, with visage stern,
And heart that knows not fear;
He fights where'er his colors burn,
For queen and country dear.
The light of seas is in his eyes,
Bred from old viking blood;
Like to those bright-haired sires he hies
Unto the warmer flood.
Strange scents come to him from the sands,
And banks of salty sward,
Where, on the Fame's high deck, he stands,
Brown hand upon his sword.

Dark lies the night of winter o'er
Homes left behind the sea;
But spring, upon this sunny shore,
Already wakes the lea.
In groups the Swedish farmers smile,
And stroke the yellow beard;
And rosy matrons lift, awhile,
Sweet children to be cheered.
No longer round the voyagers heaves
The blue brine of the bay;
Each prow the stately river cleaves,
And drinks the freshening spray.

Strange figures gather to the shore,
Bedecked with skins and paint;
Wild as that forest o'er whose floor
They range without restraint.
But friendly is the martial hand
Of Printz, the Governor;
Like brother steps he on their land,
Peace in his mien, not war.
In ear-shot of the Swedish drum
Dark sachems hunt and tilt;
And love the Isle of Tinicum,
Where Printz's Hall is built.





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