OUR Columbus, wise and brave, Daunted not by wind or wave, Greatest of seamen of old, When again your tale is told, We shall never fail to tell Of the good Queen Isabel. Little did the wise men know Of the truths they scoffed at so, But the greatness of your thought Set their proudest scorn to naught, For one lady listened well And marked your words—Queen Isabel! "He must have the ships and men! He will come back home again, Bringing honor to our shore,— (Would that I could give him more!) All my jewels go and sell," Said the great Queen Isabel. The ships were bought, he crossed the main And found our wondrous land for Spain; One woman's name shall not grow dim As long as we remember him; She was wise and trusted well— All honor to Queen Isabel! |