 Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine, With a cargo of ivory, And apes and Peacocks, Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine. Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus, Dipping through the Tropics by the palm green shores, With a cargos of diamonds, Emeralds, Amethysts, Topazes, and Cinnamon and gold moidores. Dirty British coaster with salt-caked smoke-stack, Butting through the Channel in the Mad March days, With a cargo of Tyne coal, Road rails, pig lead, Firewood, ironware, and cheap tin trays. By
John Masefield
Detail from “Sails in Chioggia” Painting by Nicola Simbari |
© Elfrida 2010
Back to the top
