Florence Earle Coates

Columbus

Viceroy they made him, Admiral and Don,
     ⁠Wishing—good King and Queen!—to honor him
     ⁠Whose deeds should make all like distinctions dim.
Columbus! Other title needs he none.
     ⁠And they—in wisdom more than kingship blest—
     ⁠Go down to future days, remembered best
For service rendered to that lowly one.

Columbus! With proud love, yet reverently,
⁠     Pronounce that name,—the name of one who heard
⁠     A word of life, and, answering that word,
Braved death, unfearing, on the Shadowy Sea;
     ⁠Who—seeking land not known to any chart,
⁠     That land by faith deep graven on his heart—
Found justice, truth, and human liberty!