Flower o' the thorn A book of wayside verse: By John Payne |
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XVIII. VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA.
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 | Flower o' the thorn |  |
XVIII. VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA.
(A.D. 1475–1517.)
VASCO, vauntcourier of the conquering crewFor whom the Old World was not enough wide,
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Out of the golden heart of far Peru
Thou wouldst for Spain have carven kingdoms new.
But envy, vengeful of thy venturous pride,
To moulder in a coffin's narrow side
Thy vaulting hopes and high ambitions threw.
Others in the page of history hold more room,
To whom the Gods have granted fairer fate;
But deeplier graven on the generous heart
Are such as thou, who played their knightly part
In vain and hounded down of vulturous hate,
Were given for guerdon but a traitor's tomb.
| Flower o' the thorn | |