My Sonnets [by W. C. Bennett] |
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THE VESSEL, BOUND FOR AMERICA, DETAINED BY
CHARLES I, HAVING ON BOARD PYM, HAMPDEN, AND
CROMWELL. |
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 | My Sonnets |  |
THE VESSEL, BOUND FOR AMERICA, DETAINED BY CHARLES I, HAVING ON BOARD PYM, HAMPDEN, AND CROMWELL.
What one bark ever held within it freightSo priceless as the one that vessel bore?
Not that which wafted, to Spain's sunny shore,
Earth-conquering Cortez, and full many a mate,
With all the plunder won, through blood and hate,
By hellish deeds, by strength of will that saw
The might of man and nature plant before
Their march the plumed array of many a state,
The pathless swamp, the tangled forest, where
No foot of man had ever forced its way,
Unawed, unblenching; they, unmoved, could dare,
Gods in endurance, on, for such a prey,
Forwards to press, down trampling pain and fear:
Yet nought they, homewards, bore worth that which lingered here.
November 28th, 1842.
| My Sonnets | |