 | Imaginary Sonnets |  |
39
BALBOA TO THE PACIFIC.
(1513.)
I saw thee, like a strip of cloth of gold,
From the hill-crest last eve at set of sun,
Thou new-found ocean, skimmed as yet by none,
Save Indian light canoes; and I behold
From the hill-crest last eve at set of sun,
Thou new-found ocean, skimmed as yet by none,
Save Indian light canoes; and I behold
Thy bright waves now, in wreaths of foam unrolled,
Kissing my feet like panting slaves that run,
Eager to lay their treasures one by one
At feet of Spain, whose banner I unfold.
Kissing my feet like panting slaves that run,
Eager to lay their treasures one by one
At feet of Spain, whose banner I unfold.
Nereids and mermen, tritons of this sea,
I claim you for Don Ferdinand, and bid
Your scaly legions swear him fealty.
I claim you for Don Ferdinand, and bid
Your scaly legions swear him fealty.
The gold, the pearls, the emeralds that are hid
In all your isles and caves are his; and he
Alone may force the treasure's crystal lid.
In all your isles and caves are his; and he
Alone may force the treasure's crystal lid.
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