CUBA

Spake one upon the vessel's prow, before

The sinking sun had kissed the glittering seas:

“‘ Twas here Columbus with his Genoese

Steered his frail barks toward the unknown store,

With hope unfaltering, though all hope seemed o'er;

Calm‘ mid the mutineers the prophet mind

Saw the New World to which their eyes were blind,

Heard on its continents the breakers’ roar,

Told of the golden promise of the main,

While cursed his crew, and called a madman's dream

The land his ashes only hold for Spain!

It rose on dim horizon with the gleam

Of morn, proclaiming to the kneeling throng

All treasures theirs, because one heart was strong.”