(12TH OCTOBER 1492) br br From his adventurous prime br He dreamed the dream sublime: br Over his wandering youth br It hung, a beckoning star. br At last the vision fled, br And left him in its stead br The scarce sublimer truth, br The world he found afar. br br The scattered isles that stand br Warding the mightier land br Yielded their maidenhood br To his imperious prow. br The mainland within call br Lay vast and virginal: br In its blue porch he stood: br No more did fate allow. br br No more! but ah, how much, br To be the first to touch br The veriest azure hem br Of that majestic robe! br Lord of the lordly sea, br Earth's mightiest sailor he: br Great Captain among them, br The captors of the globe. br br When shall the world forget br Thy glory and our debt, br Indomitable soul, br Immortal Genoese? br Not while the shrewd salt gale br Whines amid shroud and sail, br Above the rhythmic roll br And thunder of the seas.