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, @3Fame, Swan@1, and @3Charity@1. 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 @3Fame's@1 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A POEM FROM THE EDGE OF AMERICA by JAMES GALVIN AFTERGLOW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ARMOR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON IMPELLED by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON RETROSPECT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |