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 Copy 1 
 
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 ♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦^♦♦44 
 
THE 
 
 LIFE OF 
 
 CHRISTOPHER 
 
 COLUriBUS, 
 
 The Great Discoverer. 
 
 -BY 
 
 Wm. H. Creedon, 
 
 11 -7 
 
 .M.O. ^^VW> 
 
 This brief sketch is put into rblyme 
 While endeavoring to contribute 
 
 Something to suit the present time. 
 To the subject a peculiar tribute. 
 

INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The present time is especially appropriate for the 
 production of remembrances pertaining to the Life 
 of Christopher Columbus, while the nation is doing 
 honor to the great discoverer by the Columbian 
 World's Fair, and in the four hundredth anniversa- 
 ry of his first landing on these shores. 
 
 The checquered career of that most favored, un- 
 fortunate and great man, the thrilling, romantic 
 and tragic incidents, the struggles, trials discover- 
 ies and triumphs, of several years have been emu- 
 lated from a true historical basis, hoping its peculiar 
 merits may deserve and engage a short perusal. 
 
 W. H. C. 
 
Copyright 1893. 
 
 BY 
 
 Wm. H. Creedon, M. D. 
 
Spiritual Introduction. 
 
 God made the world and it is His. 
 
 He ordained that it should be populated, 
 And too, by his noblest work, man. 
 
 By whom the high seas must be navigated. 
 And made the great highway of nations 
 
 O'er which were to sail seamen brave. 
 The result being the greatest of discoveries. 
 
 And propagation of the race — the same to save. 
 
 The human mind is the brightest display 
 
 Of the power and skill of the Infinite Mind; 
 It is created and placed here t(* be educated 
 
 For a state of existence of the highest kind; 
 The object being to train mind and soul, 
 
 Enabling to fulfill all duties brave, 
 When she leaves this cradle of her being 
 
 For an eternal existence beyond the grave. 
 7 
 
Electricity is but an indolent drone 
 
 Compared to the flashes of mind 
 Though it may perforate the air with 
 
 Balls of fire, a termination it will find, 
 Furrowing through the air separating clouds, 
 
 Myriads of molecules meeting in thunderous roar, 
 The mind penetrates the fiercest lightning, 
 
 And has time left far beyond it to soar. 
 
 The mind is the great instrument of effecting the 
 
 Is decidedly and continually improved [world, 
 By the intellectual power of exercise. 
 
 No danger of o'erstretching thoughts deep grooved ; 
 The perfection of a disciplined mind is 
 
 To rouse up its faculties, draw out its strength, 
 Make it produce a quantity of results 
 
 On indulged subjects, and at length. 
 
This is the end of all discoveries — pursuits, 
 
 When the world and its fleeting ambition, 
 Its mind and matter shall have passed away. 
 
 After living a life of many an admonition; 
 Of all that live and move and breathe, 
 
 Above his birth only man can rise, 
 That he may enter into the celestial 
 
 And rolling ages of heavenly joys. 
 
Christopher Columbus. 
 
 At the age of 56, Christopher Columbus 
 
 Discovered America, anno doinino 1492, 
 When the subject of discovery was treated as 
 
 Visionary and chimerical, he had his view. 
 His aspiring mind was taught, rather inspired 
 
 To stray across the broad expanse of the ocean, 
 Where fields rich with gold, green with verdure, 
 
 In his mind caused great commotion. 
 
 In the fifth century Buddhist monks, 
 
 After a daring voyage from the Chinese Em.pire, 
 Are reported to have landed on this continent, 
 
 But to believe this people had no desire. 
 St. Brendan, who lived in Ireland, 
 
 Visited these shores a hundred years later. 
 To verify this as being true, we shall 
 
 Refer his spirit for glory to his Creator. 
 10 
 
11 
 
 Four hundred years later, one Ericssen, 
 
 Landed on the shores, now Rhode Island, 
 Where it is said he established a settlement, 
 
 Which place he had then called Vineland. 
 Next who is supposed to have effected a landing. 
 
 Is a Prince Mauoc of little Wales, 
 This was in the eleventh century, 
 
 Some doubt exists if these are not tales. 
 
 Christopher Columbus alone is the 
 
 Acknowledged discoverer of the New World, 
 To whom the glory of the discovery belongs. 
 
 Whose colors on our shore were first unfurled. 
 His age is clothed in more or less obscurity, 
 
 The best authorities are unable to fix the year. 
 Some placing it as far back as 1435, 
 
 To modern historians ten years later it appear. 
 
12 
 
 For the purposes of this brief history, 
 
 The year 1435, as correct will be taken, 
 And Genoa, Italy, as being the city, 
 
 This being generally conceded, am not mistaken. 
 Other cities have claimed the honor of his birth. 
 
 But all such are stripped of the honor, 
 Genoa is the city wherein his birth occurred. 
 
 This is embraced as a doubt no longer. 
 
 Columbus was the son of a wool comber, 
 
 Of his early life and education little is known. 
 That he attended the University at Pavia, 
 
 In the minds of the people has grown. 
 Returning to Genoa at the age of twelve, 
 
 \Vhere, with his father, two years he remained, 
 When with a relative he began his voyages. 
 
 And his fondness for the sea daily gained. 
 
13 
 
 For sea voyages he evinced a remarkable liking, 
 
 A desire incident to the age in which he lived, 
 At his own request he was permitted to make them, 
 
 His own views in his mind he perceived. 
 His first voyage w^as a naval expedition, 
 
 Fitted out in Genoa m the year 1459, 
 To make a descent on the city of Naples, 
 
 Where he and his comrades formed in line. 
 
 This was a gallant but ill-fated enterprise. 
 
 When Columbus was ordered on a perilous cruise, 
 To cut a galley in the harbor of Tunis, 
 
 VV^hether successful or not there are no clues. 
 The fact is merely mentioned here to show. 
 
 That at that time at the age of twenty-four, 
 He exhibited a courageous and resolute spirit. 
 
 Which eventually proved successful at a later hour. 
 
14 
 
 Now, for years, all traces of Columbus is lost, 
 
 Perhaps voyaging to the Mediteranean sea; 
 He was captain on several Genoa ships, 
 
 In the service of Louis XI of France, maybe. 
 At this time an incident is related, if true, 
 
 To prove the indomitable pluck of Chris, 
 This is slightly speculative history, 
 
 But in reality, to him, all was not bliss. 
 
 At this period Columbus occasionally sailed 
 
 With Colombo, the younger, who was a relative, 
 And gave him command of one of his vessels. 
 
 But for a short time was his command imperative, 
 For his vessel was fastened to a Venetian galle}% 
 
 And both were involved in one conflagration, 
 Columbus seizing an oar jumped v^verboard 
 
 Swimming two leagues without hesitati(^n. 
 
15 
 
 The next heard of Columbus is in Lisbon, 
 
 Where for five years he continued to live, 
 Now his first appearance to Portugal, 
 
 As the best of authorities do give. 
 In full vigor of manhood and engaging presence, 
 
 Tall, well-formed, muscular and dignified, 
 His visage neither long, full, nor meagre, 
 
 His demeanor was somewhat glorified. 
 
 Complexion fair but freckled, nose aquiline. 
 
 His eyes light grey and apt to enkindle, 
 And his cheek bones were rather high. 
 
 In his countenance authority did intermingle. 
 In youthful days his hair was of a light color. 
 
 But quite grey at thirty years of age. 
 Was moderate and simple in diet and dress. 
 
 Eloquent m discourse but never rage. 
 
16 
 
 With strangers he was engaging and affable, 
 
 His amiableness and suavity in domestic life 
 Attached his household to his very person, 
 
 As he sallied along in the world of strife. 
 His temper was naturally rather irritible, 
 
 But subdued it by magnanimity of spirit, 
 Comporting himself with courteous gravity, [it 
 
 To indulge in intemperance of language, never did 
 
 Throughout his life he was noted for 
 
 Strict attention to the affairs of religion, 
 Observing the fast and ceremonies of church, 
 
 And oft times he had received absolution. 
 Nor did his piety consist of mere forms. 
 
 But of that solemn enthusiasm he partook. 
 With \Adiich his character was strongly tinctured, 
 
 As he secretly futurewai'd and calmly did look. 
 
17 
 
 Still Columbus was residing in Lisbon, 
 
 It was but natural to find him there, 
 As the Portugese were the most expert seamen, 
 
 Compared with them others were nowhere. 
 The great mariners and captains were Genoese, 
 
 And most adventurous spirits of the age, 
 Here is where Columbus was stopping. 
 
 Was he not a wise young sage.'' 
 
 Love, perpetual melody of the human race, 
 
 Which keeps the spirit of the world ever young, 
 Found a spot very easily bombarded. 
 
 And to this enemy Columbus did succumb; 
 Dona Felipa Moniz held the fort. 
 
 While Columbus had to give up the garrison, 
 This was in the battlefield of love. 
 
 They married, we shall seek no comparison. 
 
18 
 
 Concerning this event historians are perplexed, 
 
 As there are no records to determine the date, 
 Probably \n the year of our Lord, 1474, 
 
 They begun their consolidated fate; 
 The issue of this Union was one son, 
 
 Born a year after this timely marriage, 
 Receiving at his baptismal, the name Diego, 
 
 Giving Christopher Columbus increased courage- 
 
 At this time Columbus supported his family 
 
 By making maps and charts, a distinction 
 A profession in those days required a knowledge 
 
 And experience with a sufficient intention. 
 Corresponding with scientific men of the time, 
 
 A fact due to his geographical labors, 
 Comparing maps and charts and noting 
 
 The progress and direction of other voyagers- 
 
19 
 
 He perceived much of the world was unknown, 
 
 Living surrounded with the stir of discovery, 
 He communed with other daring mariners. 
 
 Whose explorations were based on a theory, 
 And who had risen to fortune and honor, 
 
 The mind of Columbus kindled up to enthusiasm 
 In the cause which he subsequently never lost, 
 
 Nor during the excitement showed any sarcasm. 
 
 Oh, what a period of general excitement, 
 
 To all residing in the vicinity of the ocean. 
 Rumors were constantly heard on all sides. 
 
 Of the discovery of islands, causing commotion; 
 Most of which were but fabulous tales, 
 
 With curious care Columbus noted them down, 
 This is mentioned to state the existing feeling, 
 
 W^hich was predominant as the cause had grown. 
 
20 
 
 This influenced the mind of Columbus 
 
 Confirming his opinion of land "beyond the sea," 
 He acquainted himself with all had been written, 
 
 On all discoveries relating to geography; 
 From these fanciful narratives and current rumors, 
 
 His grand project of discovery was formed 
 By "strong workings of his vigorous mind," 
 
 Which continually had kept him warmed. 
 
 The foregoing shows that Columbus was 
 
 Moved to his grand design by the spirit 
 And events of the time in which he lived, 
 
 And to these he had given much credit. 
 1^^-om this mass of superstition, fable and report, 
 
 He had come to his final conclusion. 
 That there was land in the western part 
 
 Of the ocean, to him seemed no delusion. 
 
21 
 
 That this land was fertile and inhabited, 
 
 And it was possible to be found. 
 In his nfiind he thought he would prove it, 
 
 This undertaking himself he had bound. 
 His entire life, character and conduct 
 
 Was influenced by all subsequent information, 
 Flis opinion now seemed to be fixed 
 
 He determined to make the investigation. 
 
 No disappointment or trial could desist 
 
 Him' from the pursuits of his life's object. 
 As he considered himself in the hands of Heaven, 
 
 Chosen for this great purpose a fit subject, 
 P>nabling him to carry the light of true faith 
 
 Into benighted and undiscovered pagan lands, 
 Selected from men of high accommplishments, 
 
 Far above others alone he stands. 
 
22 
 
 Columbus was now satisfied of the feasibility , 
 
 Of a voyage of discovery across the deep, 
 His efforts were now centered to find the means, 
 
 His resolution he was determined to keep; 
 Many years elapsed before he secured a way 
 
 To carry his grand design into execution, 
 For he was too poor to fit out the needed vessels, 
 
 Which would be in demand of his own notion. 
 
 This was an enterprise suitable for some sovereign. 
 
 Who could assume dominion of all he might discover, 
 Meantime discoveries were being made by mariners, 
 
 Who along the coast of Africa did hover. 
 Few venturing beyond the sight of land. 
 
 Yet the sphere of navigation was extended. 
 Who were now enabled to part information, 
 
 As the art of printing had been first invented. 
 
23 
 
 It drew forth learning from libraries 
 
 And convents which before existed in costly 
 Manuscripts out of the reach of the poor scholar, 
 
 The immense power of the printer's ink mostly, 
 Making itself then, as it does now, manifest to all; 
 
 Learning came within reach of every one, 
 And ideas grew more rapidly and extensively 
 
 In the minds of those not yet gone. 
 
 At this juncture (148 1) the throne of 
 
 Portugal was occupied by King John II, 
 Who had imbibed the passion of discovery, 
 
 With his reign its activity was revived and 
 During this prevailed excitement, augmented 
 
 By the invention of a new marine instrument 
 Called the astrolobe, by which navigators could 
 
 Determine their distances from equator with con- 
 
 [tent. 
 
24 
 
 Columbus sought an interview with the king, 
 
 The object of discovery to lay before him, 
 The arguments of Columbus in favor of the scheme 
 
 Had weight, filling the king to the brim; 
 And who referred the proposition to a junto 
 
 Composed of the very best of cosmographers, 
 Who unfortunately, treated the subject as visionary, 
 
 They possessed no Columbus head, neither did 
 
 [others- 
 
 The king secretly sends a vessel out to sea, . 
 
 Notwithstanding the verdict of his learned junto, 
 With the purpose of following the route laid down 
 
 On the charts submitted by Columbus too. 
 An immeasureable waste of sky and water, 
 
 After journeying-several days did they find. 
 Ridiculing the project as being irrational. 
 
 Stating, Columbus owned an unsound mind. 
 
25 
 
 This unworthy attempt to defraud him 
 
 Of his enterprise roused his indignation, 
 And he at once determined to leave the country, 
 
 And to do so with calm resignation; 
 Being treated so unfairly in Portugal, 
 
 He thought he must seek assistance elsewhere. 
 On his personal exertions he must rely upon 
 
 Leaving Lisbon with his son Diego, his care. 
 
 From Lisbon he traveled to Genoa, 
 
 This being in the year of our Lord 1484, 
 Here, as in Lisbon, he met with refusal. 
 
 And it is evident he did not score. 
 Similar proposals he had made to Venice, 
 
 The result being the same as above, 
 Yet, did not falter in his undertaking. 
 
 But slowly and cautiously did rove. 
 
26 
 
 Columbus lost again for another year, 
 
 No tidings of his whereabouts during this time, 
 Until the year 1435, 12 months later, 
 
 We find him among Spanish nobles in prime, 
 And seeking a fortune among high sovereigns, 
 
 Several of whom owned vast possessions, 
 And with some of these he almost succeeded 
 
 In getting the number of ships for his mission. 
 
 As usual it all ended in making nothing. 
 
 Columbus decided to seek the king of France, 
 When this became known to the Spanish nobles. 
 
 It almost put them in a trance, • 
 As they were loath that an enterprise 
 
 Of such importance should be lost to Spain, 
 The Duke Medina-Celi wrote to Queen 
 
 Isabella strongly recommending the scheme. 
 
27 
 
 The queen replied to the duke favorably, 
 
 Requesting that Columbus be sent to her, 
 He accordingly set out for the Spanish 
 
 Court, then at Cordova, was all astir; 
 This was one of the most brilliant periods 
 
 In the Spanish monarchy, and when 
 The kingdom of Castile and Arragan were united, 
 
 The marriageofFerdinand-Isabellatookplace then, 
 
 Thus consolidating christian power in the peninsula, 
 
 Concentrating united Spain against the Moors, 
 The city of Cordova was in all the bustle of 
 
 Military preparation, preparing for evil doers. 
 When Columbus arrived he was in charge 
 
 Of Alonzo de Quintanilla, comptroller 
 Of the treasury of Castile. This was a critical 
 
 Juncture of the war, and was wished over. 
 
28 
 
 The rival Moorish kings of Granada, 
 
 Muley Boabdil and Mohammed Boabdil, 
 Had just formed a great coalition, 
 
 Calling for vigorous measures in detail, 
 All the chivalry of Spain had been 
 
 Summoned to the field. The court looked 
 Like a military camp — the king and queen 
 
 In the midst of the cavaliers were booked 
 
 To distinguish themselves as in former 
 
 Wars against the Moors, they were intent, 
 So the subject of discovering new 
 
 Countries had to be abandoned for the present. 
 Columbus remained in Cordova during the 
 
 Prosecution of this war, as de Quintanilla's guest, 
 Who was now a warm advocate of the theory 
 
 Through whom he made friends of the best. 
 
29 
 
 During the winter Columbus made the acquaintance* 
 
 Of the celebrated Pedro Gonzales de Mendoza, 
 Archbishop of Toledo, which fact marked 
 
 A distinct epoch in his life. This we say 
 Because he was the most important personage 
 
 About the court, with Columbus pleased, 
 And after hearing his arguments determined 
 
 It was a matter highly worthy to be seized. 
 
 Through his representations Columbus finally 
 
 Obtained admission to the royai presence, 
 After listening to the eloquence of Columbus, 
 
 King Ferdinand determined this perseverance 
 Should receive the opinion of the most learned 
 
 Men of the kingdom and be guided 
 By their decision. The conference took place 
 
 In Salamanca, the seat of graded 
 
30 
 
 Learning in Spain, and was held in the 
 
 Dominican Convent of St. Stephens, in which 
 Columbus was lodged during the examination. 
 
 The Castilian Court from Salamanca rich, 
 Prepared for war against Malaga, 
 
 Thus interrupting the consultations of the board, 
 The decision of that body had been delayed, 
 
 Keeping Columbus in suspense like a lord. 
 
 After some time Columbus was summoned 
 
 To court where the sovereigns, Ferdinand 
 And Isabella were encamped before Malaga, 
 
 Which city surrendered in 1487 and 
 Ended the campaign, the court returned 
 
 To Cordova, but was driven from the city 
 By a pestilence which kept the court migrating 
 
 For fully a year, what a pity. 
 
31 
 
 Keeping Columbus waiting very patiently. 
 
 Wearied by constant delays he began 
 To think of applying elsewhere for patronage, 
 
 And did open negotiations with King John 
 Of Portugal for a return to the country, 
 
 Receiving a letter in reply March, 1488, 
 Also a letter from Henry VII, of 
 
 England, asking him to that country great. 
 
 Both of these invitations he neglected to accept 
 
 Owing to favorable indications in Spain, 
 He was right, for in the spring of 1489 
 
 The long-adjourned investigation appeared again 
 To be in the eve of taking place. 
 
 Columbus was now summoned to Seville 
 To attend a conference of learned men. 
 
 But as usual postponed, a necessary evil. 
 
32 
 
 In consequence of another war gainst the Moors 
 
 Who were then occupying the city of Baza, 
 In which history says he was found 
 
 Possessing lofty ideas, and not crazy; 
 Fighting, giving proofs of the distinguished 
 
 Valor which accompanied his wisdom. 
 During the siege an incident took place, 
 
 Making an impression not at random. 
 
 Two revered friars arrived one day 
 
 At the Spanish camp, brethren of convent 
 Established at the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem; 
 
 They were bearers of a message sent 
 From the Grand Soldan of Egpyt, 
 
 Threatening to put to death all the Christians 
 In his dominion and destroying the sepulchre 
 
 If the sovereigns did not peace sustain. 
 
33 
 
 And quit their war against Granada. 
 
 The representations of these friars of the suffering 
 To which the Christians were subjected 
 
 In the Holy Land roused the pious indignation 
 Of the Spanish cavaliers, and it was probably 
 
 From conversation with these friars 
 That caused Columbus to make the vow, [eries 
 
 That profits accruing from his anticipated discov- 
 
 Would be devoted to a crusade for the [infidels. 
 
 Rescue of the Holy Sepulchre from the power of 
 Columbus now learned that the court of Salamanca 
 
 Had decided adversely, as history tells 
 To the proposition, and in the report, 
 
 Stated his scheme to be vain, impracticable, 
 And resting on grounds too weak to merit 
 
 Support of the government, not applicable. 
 
34 
 
 There were many in the council, however, 
 
 Too enlightened to acquiesce in this verdict. 
 Some of the most considerate persons 
 
 Of the court, indeed, moved by the conflict. 
 Or rather by the cogency of Columbus's argument, 
 
 And affected the elevation of his views. 
 Not only cordially embraced his scheme 
 
 Butextended their personal friendship, good news. 
 
 Among these were the grand cardinal, 
 
 Mendoza, and Dega, Archbishop of Seville, 
 Whose authority had great weight with sovereigns, 
 
 And who softened the harshness at w^ill. 
 Of the verdict of the conference by assuring 
 
 Columbus that at the close of the war ■ 
 They would find time and inclination 
 
 To treat with him, his conscience not mar. 
 
35 
 
 Such was the ineffected result of 
 
 Columbus's long and painful solicitation, 
 And, far from receiving the qualified 
 
 Assurance of the sovereigns in mitigation 
 Of their refusal, he seems to have 
 
 Considered it as final and peremtory 
 In great dejection of mind, therefore. 
 
 But without further delay preparatory 
 
 To his acquittal at court, he went south. 
 
 With the apparently and desperate intention 
 Of again seeking out some other patron 
 
 For his undertaking in his distention. 
 With a heavy heart he bid adieu to Spain 
 
 Not wishing to waste any more time. 
 He began his journey, however, stopping at 
 
 The convent, of La Pabida, feeling sublime. 
 
36 
 
 He was persuaded by the guardian Juan 
 
 Perez, his further journeying to postpone, 
 Until another effort had been made to move 
 
 The Spanish Court in his favor alone. 
 For this purpose the worthy ecclesiastic 
 
 Undertook an expedition to the city of Santa Fe, 
 Where the sovereigns lay encamped before Granada. 
 
 On arriving was admitted to an audience gay. 
 
 He pressed the suit of Columbus with earnestness. 
 
 Was ably supported by several eminent persons 
 Whom Columbus, during his residence in the country 
 
 Had interested themselves in his project lessons. 
 Among them were Alonzo de Quintanilla, 
 
 Luis de St. Angel and the Marchioness 
 De Moya, the latter friend of Isabella 
 
 And who exhibited a spirit of kindness. 
 
37 
 
 These representation, combined with the 
 
 Opportune season of the application occurring 
 When the approaching termination of the Moorish 
 
 War allowed room for other objects interesting, 
 Wrought so favorable a change in the dispositions 
 
 Of the sov^ereigns that they really consented 
 To renew negotiations with Columbus 
 
 And an invitation to him was presented 
 
 By the friar, ordering him to repair to Santa Fe. 
 
 Availing himself of this welcome intelligence, 
 Columbus lost no time in arriving at camp, 
 
 This he had done without negligence. 
 Arriving in time to witness the surrender of Granada, 
 
 And when every heart was swelling 
 With exultation at the triumphant termination, 
 
 Truly a propitious moment for dwelling 
 
38 
 
 On the presentation of Christopher Columbus. 
 
 At this interview with the king and queen 
 He endeavored to stimulate the cupidity 
 
 Of his audience, picturing the realms unseen. 
 Of Mangi and Cathay, which he confidently 
 
 Expected to reach by a western route. 
 Concluding his arguments with an appeal 
 
 To a higher principal, how resolute. 
 
 Holding out the prospect of extending the 
 
 Empire of the cross over nations of benighted 
 Heathens, while he proposed to devote the profits 
 
 To the recovery of Holy Sepulchre, how delighted. 
 The demands of Columbus were considered too hisfh 
 
 At this interview, and it was said 
 They savored of the highest degree of arrogance 
 
 And would be unbecoming to grant paid 
 
39 
 
 To a needy foreign adventurer. On this ground 
 
 The conferences were abruptly broken off 
 And again he turned his back on the Spanish 
 
 Court, who seemingly at him did scoff. 
 Resolved rather to forego his splendid anticipations 
 
 Of discovery at the moment when the career 
 So long sought was thrown open to him 
 
 Than surrender honorable distinction with fear. 
 
 He had a proud and unyielding spirit 
 
 Which through years of trials had sustained 
 And enabled him at length to achieve his 
 
 Great enterprise he hoped to have gained, 
 And too, in the face of every obstacle which 
 
 Man and nature seemed to have opposed. 
 Some men are constitutionally so low 
 
 Call a thing higher, opposition is roused. 
 
40 
 
 The friends of Columbus rallied and again 
 
 Brought the queen to consider the matter, 
 Stating that Columbus's demands were made 
 
 At least contingent on success, after 
 Which they would be very well deserved. 
 
 At these arguments Isabella was moved, 
 She contemplated the proposals of Columbus, 
 
 In their true light she was behooved 
 
 To no longer listen to the suggestions 
 
 Of cold councillors, her noble, generous heart 
 Gave way to natural influences — her own, 
 
 She was determined to give Columbus a start. 
 I will assume the undertaking for my own 
 
 Crown of Castile, and am ready to pawn 
 My jewels to defray the expense of it 
 
 If the funds in the treasury are drawn 
 
41 
 
 And found inadequate. A message 
 
 At once was dispatched after Columbus, 
 Who was overtaken a few leagues from Granada, 
 
 Where he volunteered to return without any fuss. 
 When he arrived at Santa Fe he 
 
 Experienced a most courteous reception 
 And was granted an audience with the queen 
 
 When an understanding was made to perfection. 
 
 A definite arrangement was concluded with 
 
 The Spanish sovereigns on April 17, 1492, 
 By the terms of this agreement Columbus was 
 
 Made admiral, governor-general and viceroy 
 Of all the islands and continents he shall discover, 
 
 And was to be entitled to one-tenth of all 
 The product and profits within the limits 
 
 Of his discoveries, whether crreat or small. 
 
42 
 
 No sooner were the negotiations closed 
 
 Then Isabella prepared with her characteristic 
 Promptness to forward the expedition by the most 
 
 Efficient measures, the most artistic. 
 Orders were sent to Seville and other ports 
 
 To furnish stores and articles for the voyage, 
 The fleet consisting of three vessels, were to sail 
 
 From the port of Palos to begin passage. 
 
 Palos for some delinquency had been 
 
 Condemned to furnish the crown 
 With two caravels for the period of a year. 
 
 Which was a heavy encumbrance to the town. 
 The third vessel was procured and fitted out 
 
 Under the authority of Columbus with the aid 
 And assistance of Martin Alonzo Pinzon and brother, 
 
 Vincente Yanez Pinzon, both of whom paid. 
 
43 
 
 The Pinzons were navigators of great courage. 
 
 In about three months everything was ready 
 For the first perilous voyage of discovery 
 
 By Columbus whose mind and hands were steady 
 The armament consisted of two caravels 
 
 Which were light vessels, decks, had none, 
 And a third one of much larger burden 
 
 From which the flag of Columbus had flown. 
 
 The latter had been prepared especially 
 
 For this voyage, was decked, named Santa Maria, 
 Another, called the Pinta was commanded 
 
 By Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the third, Nina, 
 Was in charge of Vincente Yanez Pinzon. 
 
 All things being in readiness Columbus 
 And crew confessed themselves, partook 
 
 Of the sacrament, after manners of Spanish 
 
44 
 
 Mariners when on the eve of an important 
 
 Voyage. On Friday morning-, 1492, 
 This being exactly on the 3rd of August, 
 
 The squadron put to sea, and bidding adieu 
 To the old world, launched forth on that 
 
 Unfathomed waste of waters where no sail 
 Had ever been spread before a gale, 
 
 A feeling of sadness did prevail 
 
 Over the entire little community of Palos, 
 
 For nearly all had relatives on board. 
 All the old books and manuscript found 
 
 Relating to the departure agree in one accord 
 That the last seen of Columbus, as he faded 
 
 From view of the people on shore 
 He was standing on his poop with the 
 
 Standard of the cross which he did adore. 
 
45 
 
 The image of the Saviour nailed to the 
 
 Wood, waving in the early breezes of day. 
 When Columbus set out on his voyage 
 
 So daring and memorable they say 
 It was his intention to write down 
 
 As he proceeded everything that he saw, 
 And that he did to make a chart 
 
 Of his discoveries and course a law, 
 
 And which he intended for the inspection 
 
 Of the Spanish sovereigns upon his return, 
 Should he be fortunate enough to get back. 
 
 And not have any occasion to mourn; 
 And it is now to this journal of his 
 
 That we are indebted for all the details 
 Of his first voyage and dramatic incidents, 
 
 While journeying his courage never fails. 
 
46 
 
 The exultation of Columbus at finding 
 
 Himself, after eighteen years of baffled hope, 
 Trials, poverty and scoffs, at last launched 
 
 On the grand surprise, having full scope. 
 Was somewhat checked at his lack of 
 
 Confidence in his crew, for a great part 
 Of them had been pressed into service against 
 
 Their will, really not wanting to make a start. 
 
 On the third day out, according to authorities, 
 
 The Pinta made some signals of distress, 
 Her rudder was found to be badly broken. 
 
 At this period was first used for steering purpose, 
 Replacing the old ancient lateral paddles. 
 
 Columbus was much disturbed at this occurrence, 
 Attributing it to a trick of the owners of the vessel, 
 
 To impede a voyage which they held in abhorrence. 
 
47 
 
 The rudder, however, was finally secured 
 
 With ropes, and Columbus tried to feel secure, 
 Owing to the prompt energy of Pinzon, 
 
 Who commanded the vesssel, and did insure.. 
 The Canary Islands now coming in sight. 
 
 It w^as decided to touch at Gomera, 
 And there to repair the damaged rudder. 
 
 And replace the latine sails of the Nina.. 
 
 While in port it w^as learned that the 
 
 Portugese vessels were lying in w^ait 
 For him in the neighborhood with the purpose 
 
 Of intercepting his journey, considered so great, 
 In retaliation for having gone over to the 
 
 Interests of Spain, but he succeeded in evading 
 Them and continued on his voyage September 6th. 
 
 This act of the Portugese seemed degrading. 
 
48 
 
 It may be mentioned that Columbus was now 
 
 On his way to the New World to discover, 
 For every league that was sailed from this time 
 
 Was upon the unknown deep, the sky as cover. 
 His course was westward, but for three days, 
 
 A dead calm kept the vessels almost within 
 Sight of land and proved a most vexatious delay, 
 
 Raising apprehensions in the minds of his men, 
 
 That the voyage might prove too long for their constan- 
 
 This suggested to him to falsify the reckoning, [cy. 
 And the reckoning was secretly kept of theactual num- 
 
 Of milessailed each day, and another making [ber 
 One considerably less, the latter being given to 
 
 The crews daily, the former he did not show. 
 The result of Monday's sail was sixty degrees. 
 
 But put it down forty that they would not know. 
 
49 
 
 This deception was practiced all through voyage 
 
 Keeping the crews ignorant of the real distance 
 Which they had sailed from the port of Palos, 
 
 So that it might stop any hindrance. 
 On the nth. September they came across a mast 
 
 Which was broken and in the water a long while, 
 The crews looked v/ith fear upon this piece of wreck, 
 
 Drifting ominously and in no attractive style. 
 
 On the 13th. Columbus notes that the ships 
 
 Adverse currents are encountering slowly, 
 And the voyagers two hundred leagues from Ferro, 
 
 The needle of compass pointed so peculiarly 
 As it had never been observed before. 
 
 Gaining a point in the history of navigation, 
 The needle pointed to the true north 
 
 Which at first he made no mention 
 
50 
 
 Of this circumstance, knowing how ready his people 
 
 Were to take alarm, but it soon attracted the atten- 
 Of the pilots and filled them with consternation, [tion 
 
 Thelawsof nature were changing in their apprehen- 
 Intering another world of unknown influences, [sion, 
 
 Christopher Columbus practiced deception again 
 And stated to the terrified crew that it was 
 
 Not the needle but the North Star in the main 
 
 That moved like other heavenly bodies, 
 
 As the pilots held Columbus in a high opinion 
 As a profound astronomer, their fears subsided, 
 
 The phenomenon of this peculiar variation 
 Of the magnetic needle has now become familiar 
 
 To all navigators, but the cause is a conjecture. 
 The next day the voyagers were rejoiced by the sight 
 
 Qi harbingers of land, to them a lecture. 
 
51 
 
 Several birds hovered about the ships, 
 
 That same night a meteor fell into the sea, 
 Which again struck terror into the crews. 
 
 Who soon became as quiet as could be. 
 The ships had now advanced into the influence 
 
 Of the trade-winds, which blew steadly 
 From east to west between the tropics. 
 
 With the breezes they were wafted speedly 
 
 Over a tranquil sea, so that for many days 
 
 No sail was shifted, but Columbus was keeping 
 A secret of the number of actual miles sailed, 
 
 And it was thought they were land aearing, 
 As they found patches of herbs and weeds; 
 
 Soundings were resorted to but no bottom found. 
 Birds were seen which it was popularly supposed 
 
 Never slept except on or near the ground. 
 
52 
 
 This sight encouraged the men with the belief 
 
 That they could not be very far from shore; 
 The sight of a whale was another indication, 
 
 Their expectations on vessel grew more and more; 
 For the sovereigns had promised a pension of ten 
 
 Thousand marvedis tohim who would first see land, 
 Which, from the floating weeds, the flights of birds, 
 
 Fish, and other animals they had scanned. 
 
 Notwithstanding the precautions to keep the crews 
 
 In ignorance of the distance sailed they were grow- 
 Fxtremely uneasy of the length of the voyage, [ing 
 
 They had advanced much further west, still mov- 
 Tlian ever man had sailed before, out into that [ing, 
 
 Great apparently boundless abyss. 
 Even the steady trade-winds which were wafting 
 
 Them favorably on, their vessel did kiss, 
 
53 
 
 Were construed by the ingenious fears of the crews 
 
 Into a new source of alarm, for they imagined 
 They would prove head-winds on their return. 
 
 They would never see Spain again they continued. 
 A day or so later the course was changed 
 
 To west by northwest and they got clear of weeds, 
 This change was occasioned by a head-wind, 
 
 And Columbus says in his journal, it needs ^ 
 
 But a hint to explain why he w^elcomed it, 
 
 Because it had the effect on the sailors convincible. 
 That westerly winds to return by were 
 
 (Here indulging in a short argument) improbable. 
 Columbus now, it is said, conferred with Pinzon, 
 
 Regarding a chart which with them they did car- 
 Which showed some islands near where they [ry. 
 
 Now supposed the ships did slowly tarry. 
 
54 
 
 The situation was daily becoming more critical, 
 
 For in proportion as he approached the region 
 Where he expected to find land, the impatience 
 
 Of the crowd augmented, became a contagion. 
 The sailors now derided all the supposed 
 
 Favorable signs of land weak and delusive; 
 There being danger of their rebelling and compelling 
 
 Him to turn back, this was slightly abusive. 
 
 Now on the verge of realizing all his hopes. 
 
 They beheld themselves with great dismay. 
 Wafted onward over the boundless waste, [obey. 
 
 The command of Columbus was imperative — must 
 Should their provisions fail, what then.'' 
 
 Every day added to the expanse left behind. 
 How should they ever be able to return. 
 
 Was constantly preying on their mind, 
 
55 
 
 Having no intervening port where they could 
 
 Renew their stores, and their ships repair. 
 In this way they fed their discontents and [pair. 
 
 Fomenting spirit of mutinous opposition, what dis- 
 In their secret conferences they exclaimed 
 
 Against Columbus as a desperado bent 
 In a mad phantasy, upon doing something [tent. 
 
 Extravagant to make himself notorious and con- 
 
 \\'ere their lives to be sacrificed in the effort? [ed, 
 
 Were they to sail on until they would have perish- 
 Or until all chance of return was impossible? 
 
 All such thoughts they had secretly cherished. 
 On the other hand if they should have returned, 
 
 Who could blame them, for they had now sailed 
 Further than any one had ever done before. 
 
 Such villainous thoughts in their minds prevailed. 
 
56 
 
 The thought then occurred to them of throwing 
 
 Columbus into the sea, and the ships turn back, 
 Accounting for his death, saying he fell overboard, 
 
 A report, they reasoned, no one could attack. 
 Colum.bus was not ignorant of their disposition. 
 
 Still maintaining a serene and stately countenance. 
 Soothing some of the sailors with gentle words. 
 
 Stimulating their pride and service in continuance. 
 
 On September 25th. the wind becoming 
 
 Favorable, the course was resumed directly west, 
 The sea was quite calm often permitting the vessels 
 
 To approach each other their speed to test; 
 And indulge in conversation between the crews. 
 
 Birds and drift still continued to be present, 
 Among the latter they saw something like fruit, 
 
 To say the least making them feel pleasant 
 
57 
 
 From such indications they thought land was near, 
 
 And on Sunday the Nina fired a lombard, 
 Hoisted a flag as a signal that land was seen, 
 
 And Martin Alonzo Pinzon's voice was heard 
 Exclaming, Land! Land! Senor, my reward! 
 
 Upon this Columbus threw himself on his knees 
 And returned thanks to God, and under lead 
 
 Of commanders, all repeated Gloria in Excclsis. 
 
 It was, however, only a trick of the clouds. 
 
 And proved to be a firmament delusion. 
 On October ist. Columbus says in his journal, 
 
 I am not laboring under any illusion, 
 When I say we were seven hundred and seven 
 
 Leagues from Ferro, but made the crews believe 
 It was only five hundred and eighty-four, 
 
 As he thought best for them to deceive. 
 
58 
 
 Neither weeds were to be seen floating 
 
 Nor birds flying, causing the crews to fear 
 That they had passed between two islands 
 
 From which birds had been passing, perhaps near. 
 Again they began to utter murmurs and menaces, 
 
 But the next day such sights of birds were seen 
 And other indications of land became numerous. 
 
 So that more confident they could not have been. 
 
 On the 6th. of October Martin Pinzon suggested 
 
 A change of course, but Columbus persisted 
 In steering directly west, and the next day 
 
 At sunrise, some of the men insisted 
 That from Columbus's ship land was seen, 
 
 And the Nma, being a very fast sailor 
 Pressed forward to ascertain the fact 
 
 But again the supposed land was a failure. 
 
59 
 
 For three days more the ships sailed on 
 
 And the further they proceeded the more frequent 
 And encouraging became the signs of land, 
 
 And the flight of birds flying along intent 
 On the same course of the ships seemed to 
 
 Confirm their hopes of being a near land. 
 On the loth. the men began to lose patience 
 
 Again, but Columbus was again at hand 
 
 And reassured the men by reminding them 
 
 Of the profits which were in store, 
 And the folly of seeking to return when 
 
 They had already gone so far — and more, 
 He told them that happen what might, 
 
 He had finally determined to proceed 
 Untilby the blessing of the Almighty God. 
 
 And his own perseverance, he should succeed. 
 
60 
 
 It is stated by nearly all historians 
 
 That at this time the feeling existing 
 Between Columbus and the crews was one 
 
 Of open defiance, and the task of persisting 
 To preserve subordination and to instil [measure, 
 
 Confidence, resorted to argument in a certain 
 And threats, enticements and picture 
 
 The misfortunes of incurring the royal pleasure. 
 
 The manifestations of the vicinity of land 
 
 Were such as to admit no longer of doubt. 
 Fresh weeds, fish of a kind that keep near rocks, 
 
 Bushes, branches of trees with fruit floated about, 
 And a staff artificially carved were picked up, 
 
 And all mutiny gave way to expectation. 
 After sunset on the 1 1 th. the course was shifted [lating 
 
 Again to due west, and the admiral's crew congratu- 
 
61 
 
 Was such as to unite it with more fervor 
 
 Than usual in the Salve Regina. 
 At about lo o'clock that night as Columbus 
 
 Was peering into the night through his retina, 
 He saw a faint glimmering of light, 
 
 And fearing that perhaps he might be deceived, 
 Pointed it out to Pedro Gutierrez, who 
 
 Also plainly saw it, and a third was relieved. 
 
 Columbus considered this a sure sign of land. 
 
 Four hours after the light was first seen, 
 And at just 2 o'clock in the morning, 
 
 When the moon in the third quarter had been, 
 Was in the East, the Pinta, keeping ahead, 
 
 One of her sailors, Rodrigo de Triana 
 Discovered the land two leagues away. 
 
 And the discharge of a gun from the Pinta 
 
62 
 
 Communicated the joyful intelligence to the other 
 
 Ships. The fleet then took in sail 
 And each vessel under backed sheets was 
 
 Pointed to the wind which the seamen did hail. 
 It was a proud moment of painful suspense 
 
 To Columbus, and brimming hopes, perhaps fears 
 Of disappointment, must have acccompanied that 
 
 Hour of wavering enchantment amid streaming 
 
 [tears. 
 
 On Friday morning, October 1 2th. Columbus 
 
 First beheld the New World, his little fleet 
 Had been sixty days on its perilous voyage. 
 
 Which, with ten days in their Canary retreat, 
 Made the entire voyage seventy days. [land, 
 
 The land before them was discovered to be an is- 
 In the language of the natives, Guanahani, 
 
 And which was more than a dreamland. ' j 
 
63 
 
 Some naked savages on the shores were seen, [land, 
 
 The admiral and other commanders prepared to 
 Columbus taking the royal Standard and the 
 
 Others, each a banner of the green cross in hand, 
 And which bore the initial of the sovereign, 
 
 With a cross between and a crown surmountinsr 
 Every letter. Thus, with the emblems of their power, 
 
 And accompanied with tvv^o captains, not dis- 
 
 [counting. 
 
 Rodrigo de Escovedo and Rodrigo Sanchez, 
 
 And several seamen to the shore the boat rowed. 
 On landing Columbus threw himself on his knees. 
 
 Kissed the earth, thanked God as the tears flowed, 
 His example was followed by all of the others 
 
 Whose hearts overflowed with feelings of gratitude, 
 Since they had safely crossed that dark tomb. 
 
 And as they thought in an unknown latitude. 
 
64 
 
 Columbus then rising and throwing back the 
 
 Crimson cloak which covered his armor, 
 Drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, 
 
 Gave the island the name of San Salvador, 
 After assembling around him ajl his followers, [eigns, 
 
 Took possession in the name of the Castilian sover- 
 And calling upon all to take the oath of allegiance 
 
 To him as admiral and viceroy, representing for- 
 
 [eigners. 
 
 The men crowded around Columbus 
 
 With overflowing zeal, some kissing his hand, 
 Others embraced him, while those who had been 
 
 Mutinous during the voyage, a little band. 
 Were the most devoted and enthusiastic; 
 
 And some who had outraged him by insolence 
 Crowded at his feet begging his pardon and 
 
 Promising him for the future, blind obedience. 
 
65 
 
 When at the dawn of day the natives discovered 
 
 The ships hovering- on the coast, 
 They supposed them monsters from the deep, 
 
 And it is related they got scared the most' 
 When they saw the small boat containing 
 
 Columbus leave the ship's side and approach 
 The shore, they fled in affright to the woods. 
 
 And under the branches did crouch. ' 
 
 Finding, however that no attempt was made 
 
 To pursue them they gradually recovered 
 From their terror and drew near the 
 
 Spaniards with great awe, and hovered 
 Around frequently prostrating themselves 
 
 Upon the earth and making signs of adoration. 
 During the ceremonies of taking possession 
 
 They remained in timid admiration. 
 
66 
 
 They were surprised at the complexion, beards, 
 
 The shining armor and splendid dress 
 Of the Spaniards, Columbus particularly commanded 
 
 Their attention. The natives were no less 
 Objects of curiosity to the discoverers, 
 
 Differing as they did from any race of men 
 They had ever seen. They were friendly and 
 
 Gentle, entirely naked but painted had been. 
 
 As Columbus supposed he had landed at an 
 
 Island at the extremity of India he called 
 The natives Indians, a name since extended to 
 
 All the aboriginals of the New World. 
 They gave the natives colored cups, glass beads, 
 
 Hawk's bills and other trifles which pleased 
 Them exceedingly. The Spaniards remained all 
 
 Day on the island, then their oars seized. 
 
67 
 
 The island upon which Columbus first landed 
 
 Was one of the groups of the Bahamas, 
 Which stretch east and southwest from the coast 
 
 Of Florida and north of Cuba, history says. 
 On the morning of the 14th. of October 
 
 The admiral determined the island to reconnoitre 
 As the boats passed several Indian villages 
 
 Men and women on the shore did loiter. 
 
 Throwing themselves on the ground, lifting up their 
 
 Hands and eyes, and otherwise demonstrating 
 Their admiration and worship. These scenes 
 
 Weredaily repeated as theboatskeptupnavigating. 
 Being impatient to arrive at other places, Columbus 
 
 Left the island of San Salvador for another 
 Which could be seen at no great distance. 
 
 And to which all went harmoniously together. 
 
68 
 
 He imagined he was among those described by 
 
 Marco Polo as standing in the sea of China. 
 Night coming on the ships were ordered to lie to, 
 
 As navigation was dangerous proximate to Cuba. 
 The next morning they went on shore and took 
 
 Solemn possession the same as they had done 
 In San Salvador, when the same scenes 
 
 With the natives had earnestly begun. 
 
 The name Santa Maria de la Concepcion 
 
 To this island had been duly given. 
 Two days later another island was reached. 
 
 The name Fernandino was transfered to this one. 
 Leaving here Columbus sailed in quest of an 
 
 Island called Saometo, upon which he was told 
 By the natives that a king dwelt in a large city, 
 
 And that there was also a mine of sfold. 
 
69 
 
 The island was found, but not gold nor king, 
 
 But it proved to be the most beautiful of all 
 Those he had seen, as an abundance of fruits 
 
 Of a kind they had never seen, nor call. 
 The natives also appeared to be of a bettar kind. 
 
 The women wearing mantles and aprons of cotton. 
 And their habitations were construed in the 
 
 Pavillion or high circular tent of branches gotten 
 
 Off of the native trees, also using nets of cotton 
 
 For beds, called haniacs, now known as hammocks, 
 To this island he p'ave the nam.e of Isabella, 
 
 But now is called Isle Largo and seemingly rocks 
 On the bosom of the ocean. He remained here 
 
 Several days, filling his casks with water and laying 
 In some specimens of fruits and also some 
 
 Of the natives on board taking, wlien leaving. 
 
70 
 
 It was from these natives that Columbus 
 
 First heard of the island of Cuba 
 To which he sailed along the shores. 
 
 Then giving it the name of J nana, 
 After Prince Juan. For several days 
 
 He coasted along, discovering rivers and harbors, 
 Amone which was one which he called Puerto del 
 
 Principe, and here as on island neighbors 
 
 He erected a cross and took possession, passing [ago 
 
 Several days in exploring with his boat an archipel- 
 Of small islands, since known as El Jardin del Rey. 
 
 On the 20th. he prepared to go 
 Making signals for the other vessels to follow, 
 
 But the signals were ignored by the Pinta, 
 Columbus repeated the signals, but they were still 
 
 Unattended to, and night coming on he saw 
 
71 
 
 No tidings of the others. He shortened sail 
 
 And hoisted signal lights, but when morning 
 Came the Pinta was nowhere to be seen, 
 
 Columbus was much disquieted by this warning 
 And imagined that Pinzon had deserted him 
 
 To either prosecute discoveries on his own part 
 Or hasten back to Spain, and bear off all the glory 
 
 Of the discov^ery. It was not manly art. 
 
 On the 24th. he returned to Cuba and 
 Anchored in a harbor which he called 
 
 St, Catherine, and spent several more days 
 Coasting and on Decemmber 5 th. he sailed 
 
 To the end of the island. The natives now 
 On board told him of another island, Bahio, 
 
 And which is now called Hayti. 
 
 Columbus gave it the name of Hispaniola. 
 
72 
 
 Still another island was discovered and 
 
 Named Tortgas, from the immence 
 Number of turtles he had found there. 
 
 On December roth, with a clear conscience, 
 The harbor of St. Thomas was discovered. 
 
 The natives of these islands acted the same 
 As those of San Salvador, the first island found, 
 
 Flying to the woods as the boats came, 
 
 And afterwards returning when not pursued, 
 
 To be presented with beads and bells. 
 On the morning of the 24th. of December 
 
 Columbus set sail, as his journal tells, 
 From the port of St. Thomas and steered 
 
 To the east. The wind was from the land 
 But so slight as to scarcely fill the sails, 
 
 It was Christmas Eve all feeling grand. 
 
73 
 
 While within a couple of leagues of land, 
 
 Columbus finding the sea smooth retired to rest. 
 No sooner had he done so than the steersman 
 
 Gave the helm in charge one of the boys to test 
 And went to sleep, and the rest of the crew 
 
 Taking advantage of the absence of Columbus, 
 Went to sleep also. In the meantime the vessel 
 
 Was being carried to shore by currents treacherous. 
 
 The boy did not notice the breakers until he 
 
 Felt the rudder strike and heard the roar 
 Of the waters, when he began to call loudly 
 
 For aid. Columbus was the first to score. 
 And when the startled crew appeared ordered 
 
 Them to take a boat and carry out an anchor 
 Astern to warp the vessel off. The crew sprang 
 
 Into the boat, causing a great stir, 
 
74 
 
 But instead of casting the anchor in the 
 
 Confusion to the other vessel did skip, 
 Half a league to windward and made known 
 
 The perilous state of Columbus's ship. 
 By the time the commander had reached Columbus 
 
 It was too late the vessel for to save. 
 The mast was ordered cut away to lighten 
 
 The ship in hopes that they might have 
 
 The use of her to return, but all efforts 
 
 Were in vain. The keel was firmly fixed 
 In the sand, while the shock had opened 
 
 Many seams, everything was greatly mixed, 
 The breakers striking her broadside lifted her 
 
 Each moment more and more aground 
 Until finally she fell over on one side. 
 
 And was abandoned by all around. 
 
75 
 
 Columbus rowed to the Nina with his men, [ing, 
 
 Communicating with the native chief in the morn- 
 And making known the disaster, that friendly 
 
 Native sent many canoes and men not alarming. 
 To assist in unloading the ship, so that in a 
 
 Short time everything of value was saved 
 And placed on shore. This assistance gave 
 
 Many opportunities, the natives well behaved. 
 
 Mutual confidence sprung up between the 
 
 Spaniards and natives. The shipwreck shackled 
 And limited all Columbus's future discoveries, 
 
 And linked his fortunes (after all he tackled) 
 For the remainder of his life to this island. 
 
 And involving him in many perplexities. 
 The saving of his stores and the loss of 
 
 His ships, the latter causing some anxieties 
 
76 
 
 Suggested what some of his men had asked for, 
 
 That they might be left there while adm.iral 
 Returned to Spain with the news of his discovery, 
 
 If Pinzon, the recreant commander, scoundrel, 
 Of the Pinta, had not already sailed for home 
 
 Ahead of him. Columbus ordered a fort 
 To be constructed out of the materials of the wreck 
 
 And provisioned for a year of the sort 
 
 Used in those days and on that occasion, 
 
 Wliich, with the assistance of the natives 
 Was built in about ten days. Forty men 
 
 Were left to garrison it, not to say captives. 
 And it as well as the harbor where the wreck 
 
 Occurred, was called La Navidad. 
 Diego do Branza was put in command 
 
 Neither of the forty men felt very sad. 
 
77 
 
 On December 27th. Columbus received tidings 
 
 Of the absent ship Pinta with cheerfuhiess. 
 On Sunday, December 30th., the Spaniards and 
 
 Natives vied with each other in graciousness. 
 The chief put his crown on Columbus and 
 
 The latter placed his scarlet coat on the chief. 
 Preparations were now begun for the return to Spain, 
 
 On Jan. 5, 1849, leave taking was made brief. 
 
 Columbus impressed the natives with the 
 
 Great power of the Spaniards and to instil 
 A dread of them in the interest of those 
 
 He left behind in the fort, not to kill. 
 He arranged a series of grand exhibitions. 
 
 Causing the crews to perform skirmishes. 
 Mock battles, sham fights with swords, buckles, 
 
 Lances, cross-bows, cannon and arquebuses. 
 
78 
 
 The Indians were astonished at the keenness 
 
 Of the swords and the deadly power 
 Of the cross-bows and arquebuses, but they 
 
 Were struck with awe when the shower 
 From the heavy lombards in the fort 
 
 Pealed forth, wrapping it in wreaths of smoke, 
 Shaking the forest with their report and 
 
 Shivering the trees with the balls of stone, no joke, 
 
 When the mention is made here that such 
 
 Were the artillery used in those days. 
 The festivities being ended, Columbus took 
 
 Final leave of the native chief, and displays. 
 The signal gun was fired, the crew gave a 
 
 Parting cheer and on the 4th. of January 
 The ship set sail from La Navidad, 
 
 Th^y steered eastward towards a lofty promontory, 
 
79 
 
 To which the name of Monte Christi was given 
 
 Which it still retains. A sailor stationed 
 At the masthead now beheld the Pinta 
 
 At a distance which shortly had hastened 
 And joined Columbus, when Pinzon endeavored 
 
 To excuse his desertion by saying he was compelled 
 To part company by stress of. weather. 
 
 On the 9th. of January they had sailed 
 
 And arrived at a river which was named 
 
 Rio de Gracia, and continuing coasting, 
 Came to a bay where they made a landing 
 
 But found the natives less coaxing, 
 And quite different from the gentle and 
 
 Peaceful people met in the other parts [swords 
 Of the island. They were armed with war clubs, 
 
 Made of hardwoods, bows and arrows, darts 
 
80 
 
 From their ferocious aspects they were 
 
 Supposed to be the dreaded Caribs. 
 As the boats approached the shore 
 
 Full fifty or more of the savages, 
 All armed, came forward, but on a word 
 
 From the chief their weapons laid by 
 And came forth to meet the Spaniards; 
 
 Suddenly conceiving some mistrust they 
 
 Rushed for their arms, snatched them up and 
 
 Returned as if to fight the new-comers; 
 The Spaniards attacked them, wounded two 
 
 And put the rest to flight — what runners. 
 This was the first contest with the Indians 
 
 In the New World. Repressing his inclination 
 To seek further discoveries, and to the great joy 
 
 Of his crew who were in a state of jollification. 
 
81 
 
 'On January i6th. he directed his course [tuous; 
 
 Direct to Spain. The return voyage was tempes- 
 Storms and high seas were frequent 
 
 Until on February i6th. a tremendous 
 Gale struck the vessels and during the night 
 
 They lost sight of each other. The storm 
 Increased to such an extent that little hope 
 
 Was felt they would see land again of any form. 
 
 Religious vows were made and pilgrimages 
 
 Arranged, and all vowed to pay their devotion 
 At the nearest church should they be spared. 
 
 The following morning while all were in motion, 
 Land was seen and the transports of the 
 
 Crew almost equalled those experienced the time 
 When first they beheld the New World, 
 
 New beings, new land, new clime. 
 
82 
 
 The land proved to be St. Mary's one of the 
 
 Azores, in possession of the King of Portugal. 
 Here he remained two days and again set sail 
 
 For Spain, and on March 4th. his arrival 
 Found themselves off the rock of Cintra, 
 
 At the mouth of the Tagus, in Portugal, and came 
 To anchor. A messenger was dispatched with the 
 
 Tidings of his discovery to the King and Queen 
 
 [of Spain. 
 
 King John of Portugal, sent congratulations to 
 
 Columbus and invited him to his court, 
 Which invitation was accepted. He remained 
 
 Here ten days, and on March 15, 1493, the port 
 Of Palos he entered and anchored, but not far 
 
 From the spot from which he had sailed. 
 It is a singular coincidence, but one which 
 
 Appears to be well authenticated 
 
That on the very day on which Columbus reached [ini^ 
 
 Palos, and while the pealsof triumph were still ring- 
 From its towers, the Pinta, commanded by Pinzon, 
 
 Which had become separated in their voyagin^j, 
 Likewise entered the harbor. Doubting whether 
 
 Columbus had survived the gale, Pinzon had 
 Prepared a letter to the sovereigns requesting per- 
 
 To come to court, feeling so very glad [mission 
 
 To make known in person the discoveries, 
 
 But beholding the vessels of Columbus in port, 
 And learning of the enthusiasm of his reception, 
 
 He was much cast down, as at court 
 He was forbidden by the sovereigns to appear. 
 
 This so acted upon him that he died 
 In a few days of deep dejection, 
 
 And for whom, poor mortal, no one sighed. 
 
84 
 
 Columbus's letter had produced a great sensation 
 
 At the Spanish Court, and the event he announced 
 Was considered the most extraordinary in [nounced, 
 
 Their reign, and Columbus a great man was pro- 
 And was requested to come at once to court 
 
 Which at Barcelonia was then being held. 
 The stories of his discoveries had preceded him, 
 
 And as he approached the crowd swelled 
 
 Into throngs of people who conducted him 
 
 Into the city in great triumph, the Indians 
 Which he had brought with him led the line 
 
 And bearers of all the marvels — specimens 
 Of the New World followed, some with parrots 
 
 And other birds, others with ornaments of gold, 
 Some with skins of unknown animals, plants, 
 
 Columbus on horse back, what a sight to behold 
 
85 
 
 Amid the mounted chivalry of Spain. 
 
 Thus the procession marched on through the street 
 Amid the shouts of the people of the Alcazar 
 
 Of the Moorish kings, (how all did greet), 
 Where it is supposed Ferdinand and Isabella 
 
 Had caused their thrones to be set up in gold, 
 Rather a canopy of gold drooping about them. 
 
 Columbus's bosom heaved as never told 
 
 When he approached the royal dais both 
 
 Monarchs rose to receive him standing. 
 At their request he gave an account of his 
 
 Voyages, his discoveries and his landing, 
 Before the assembled nobility of Spain, 
 
 And at the conclusion of his recital 
 The sovereigns sunk on their knees and poured 
 
 Forth thanks to God, how spiritual. 
 
86 
 
 The anthem Tc Dciiin Laiidaums was chanted [ment 
 
 By the choir of the royal chapel with accompani- 
 Of instruments. Such was the solemn and pious 
 
 Manner in which the court celebrated this sublime 
 Offering up a grateful tribute of melody and [event, 
 
 Praise and giving glory to God 
 For the discovery of another world 
 
 In which millions in the future would plod. 
 The tidings of the discovery were spread far and wide, 
 
 And the whole civilized world filled with wonder. 
 On September 25, 1493, Columbus "sailed on his 
 
 Second voyage on which he did preponder, 
 Taking with him fifteen hundred men and 
 
 Seventeen ships, besides hundreds of animals 
 For propagation in the New World, and 
 
 Alter a journey of forty days looking at intervals^ 
 
Discovered land, which proved to be an island. 
 
 It was named Dominica. He reached Espanola 
 On November 22nd., Monte Christi the 27th., 
 
 And La Navidad on the 20th., but how sorry 
 To find it deserted and those he left behind in 
 
 That fort killed by the natives. After extending 
 Their voyage to the adjacent islands in vain, 
 
 Efforts in quest of gold mines spending. 
 
 On Febtuary 21, 1494, twelve of the vessels 
 
 Returned to Spain with the treasures they collected. 
 The rest of the vessels with Christopher Columbus 
 
 Continued their explorations and as expected 
 Discovered the island of Jamaica and several 
 
 Other smaller ones. On his return to 
 The island of Isabella he found his brother 
 
 Bartholomew there in grand review, 
 
88 
 
 After having sailed from Spain with three 
 
 Caravels on April 30th., 1484, after himcame 
 
 Still another expedition in command of Antonia 
 Tarres, with four ships provided with game. 
 
 Efforts were being made all this time to 
 
 Establish towns, forts, etc., and to colonize 
 
 The different islands. On March 10, 1496, Columbus 
 Set sail for Spain, after all did harmonize. 
 
 He had spent a year in continuing his discoveries, 
 
 And planting colonies, and with him taking 
 Thirty of the natives, he arrived in Cadiz, 
 
 Spain, on June iith., the second trip making.- 
 On his return he was invited to court, but 
 
 Would seem not to have met with as gracious 
 A reception as on the last occasion, when he 
 
 Returned triumphant from discoveries so anxious. 
 
89 
 
 Columbus now remained in Spain until 
 
 May 30th.. 1498, when he left the port 
 Of San Lucas de Barremedo, with six vessels 
 
 For his third voyage of discovery, with sport. 
 t)uring his stay in Spain these two years 
 
 Many other expeditions had been fitted 
 Out and started across the Atlantic, 
 
 The way now well known must be admitted. 
 
 All the best mariners and brave spirits 
 
 Of the civilized world knew this watery way. 
 On this voyage Columbus discovered l>inidad, 
 
 But did not intend here for to stay. 
 From there he struck across to the Continent 
 
 Of South America, which was the first time 
 He had ever set foot on the Continent 
 
 Of the New World, now feeling prime. 
 
90 
 
 Although he was unaware of it at the time. 
 
 From here he went to Espanola. 
 During his absence from the latter place, 
 
 His brother built a fort at Santo Domingo, 
 Which place he selected and named. 
 
 In the next two years, more ships were sent back 
 To Spain with all the gold that could be procured, 
 
 Together with specimens of plants, animals no lack. 
 
 For a long time afterwards Columbus remained 
 
 At Santo Domingo, as the new colony 
 Was much disturbed and open revolts were 
 
 Only subdued by recourse to arms, such mutiny, 
 Causing at the time much blood to be shed. 
 
 Accounts of these troubles having reached 
 The ears of the sovereigns in Spain, 
 
 A commissioner was sent who searched 
 
91 
 
 With his two ships and crews and enquire 
 
 Into affairs, and who arrived at Santo Domingo, 
 During the absence of Columbus and brother. 
 
 This commissioner was Francisco de Bobadilla, 
 Who immediately upon landing took possession 
 
 Of the little town, also the house of Columbus, 
 And secured all his papers and effects. 
 
 When Columbus had returned what a fuss. 
 
 He was seized by orders of Bobadilla, 
 
 Loaded with chains and cast into prison. 
 In October, 1500, he was sent back to Spain 
 
 A captive. He was soon an audience given 
 With the Spanisli monarch who ordered chains off. 
 
 Columbus lived two years after this in Spain. 
 His property was taken away from him 
 
 And he suffered in body and mind, pain. 
 
92 
 
 At times he was reduced to actual want, 
 
 And his spirit broken by seeing expeditions 
 Sent to the New World without him, all 
 
 This being caused by his enemies' conditions. 
 His property, however, was afterwards restored 
 
 To him, but not all his titles and honor. 
 Subsequently affairs took a brighter turn 
 
 Until in i 502 was again restored to favor. 
 
 He was again sent with two ships on 
 
 Another voyage, but was forbidden to call 
 At Espanola. His hardships were now 
 
 Beginning to tell upon him — A downfall. 
 His mental and physical conditions much 
 
 Strained. He sailed from Cadiz 30, May 
 1502, and reached Martinico after a short 
 
 Voyage. On this trip he determined to disobey 
 
93 
 
 His instructions and revisit Santo Domingo, 
 
 Where he arrived in June, but was forbidden 
 To enter the harbor by the authorities. 
 
 He spent some time repairing his ''riggin " 
 And making new discoveries, before he again 
 
 Set sail for Spain, after another tempestuous 
 Voyage, and after a long series of fatigues 
 
 He finally reached the harbor of San Lucas. 
 
 During all of the period he remained 
 
 In the New World on his fourth voyage 
 He was beset with difficulties of all kinds; 
 
 Storms at sea, troubles with the natives, savage. 
 Sickness, bodily -end mental diseases. 
 
 Losses of ships, and his enemies 
 Both at home and in the islands 
 
 He had discoveried, adding to his miseries; 
 
94 
 
 All put together rendered his life one 
 
 Of vexation, chagrin and almost despair. 
 His ships, too, were in very bad condition 
 
 In a letter to the sovereigns, "Is it fair ? 
 I was twenty-eight years old when I 
 
 Came into your highnesses services and now 
 I have not a hair upon my head that is not grey, 
 
 My body is infirm and beginning to bow, 
 
 And all that was left to me as well 
 
 As my brother, has been taken away and sold, 
 Even to the frock that I wore, to my dishonor, 
 
 Can my friends treat me so cold " ? 
 On the arrival at San Lucas, Columbus 
 
 Now a sick man, to Seville was conveyed. 
 Where he remained a long time in hopes 
 
 Of getting better, which on his mind preyed, 
 
95 
 
 At this time he was neglected by nearly 
 
 Every one in Court. The Queen who had 
 Befriended him, was dead and his profits 
 
 From the discoveries were not paid 
 Him, while his property had had been seized 
 
 To satisfy creditors. His disease was increasing, 
 Dispite that fact he proceeded to Salamanca 
 
 To see the king in an effort of obtaining 
 
 The reward of his discoveries, and followed 
 
 The court to Valladolid. but his illness 
 Causing him alarm, he made his will. 
 
 His last act on earth, and before witness. 
 After partaking of the sacament he died 
 
 May 20, I 506, hoping for the reward of his merit, 
 His last words being, "Into Thy Hands, 
 
 O Lord, I commit my Spirit." 
 
He Came, 
 
 And what a coming! Doubts and Difficulties 
 
 Were its heralds, dangers and disappointment 
 Its genii, heart burnings and humiliations its [ment. 
 
 Hourly companions. Everything was discontent- 
 Troubles, thick as the flying gold of the sylvan 
 
 Forests, gathered around the feet of the Genoese, 
 And pit falls innumerable lay in ambush 
 
 For his steps, all of which did displease. 
 
 Denounced as a visionary, a dreamer of dreams, 
 
 Madman and impostor, he turned from cottage 
 Door and palace gate, a victim to the heartless 
 
 Cruelty of an ignorant age. The village 
 Dolts jeered him as an oaf, and the puffed up 
 
 Sciolists of the time spurned him as a charlatan, 
 But his unbounded trust in heaven, throughout [gun. 
 
 Those harrowing days, never faltered since he be- 
 96 
 
97 
 
 Rebuffs and repulses failed to break his spirit, 
 
 And amid many trials and bitter persecutions, 
 He clung to his purpose with inflexible tenacity. 
 
 Weary and footsore after many journeyings 
 In heat and cold, in storm and darkness, 
 
 He sought invariable refuge in God's sanctury, 
 And there communing with the one Beingwho alone 
 
 Could understand him, he repaired the serenity 
 
 Of his confidence, and shook off the troubles 
 
 That weighed upon his invisible soul. 
 It was his lofty and sincere piety that chiefly 
 
 Paved the way for his coming to his goal, 
 For it enabled him to cast aside montains 
 
 Of dif^culties as though they were mole hills. 
 And inspired- him with a courge that obstacles 
 
 Only seemed to foster, his heart fills. 
 
98 
 
 His commanding figure and noble mein 
 
 Admirably reflected his exalted reverence 
 For his Maker, while the whips and scorns of 
 
 Time, took on a rarer aspect, and his endurance 
 When viewed in the light of his deep devotion 
 
 To the sorrow-pierced heart of a heavenly Mother. 
 The religious side of Columbus's character must 
 
 Be fully taken into account as a brother 
 
 If we wish to do justice to his extraordinary 
 
 Life work. It was when the world scorned 
 And men derided him most that he trusted most 
 
 In the guidance of Divine Providence the same ad- 
 And felt most confident in the success of [orned. 
 
 The magnificant project that was destined 
 By its realization to revolutionize the world. 
 
 A consequence which is not questioned. 
 
99 
 
 Of this religious element in his character 
 
 And career that the clouds broke away 
 When one might have expected them to gather 
 
 Still blacker and thicker, and shall say 
 The rift in the heavens disclosed to his 
 
 Longing gaze the blue zone of hope 
 Which presaged ultimate success. Suddenly, 
 
 As if by magic, many voices spoke. 
 
 And palace gates opened, knightly forms 
 
 Bowed before him, a king welcomed to court, 
 And a peerless women, queen by nature 
 
 And by name, the most religious sort, 
 Hailed him as one who was to fasten in 
 
 The diadem of Spain, the brighest gem 
 That could sparkle there. Courtiers speedly 
 
 Followed their example and it would seem 
 
100 
 
 That those who had but a short time before 
 
 Gorgonized him with a haughty, stony stare, 
 Now vied with him in doing homage to the 
 
 Poor adventurer from Genoa. Did not spare 
 Money and ships which were placed at his 
 
 Disposal, and soon the prow of the caravel 
 Which the newly made admiral commanded 
 
 Pointed westward o'er the deep to travel, 
 
 And every breeze that swelled the canvass of the 
 ■ Santa Maria bore her further into a wild waste 
 Of unknown waters and nearer to the shores of the 
 
 Promised land, the coveted goal all in taste. 
 Who that has read the record of that voyage 
 
 Has not felt his heart palpitate with doubt 
 And joy, fear and hope, as storm and sunshine 
 
 Attended the westward weird watery route, 
 
101 
 
 Of that hero freighted craft while the one 
 
 Threatened to engulf her in the fathomless deep, 
 Or the other enkindled fresh hopes in the breasts 
 
 Of her intrepid crew, who did not weep. 
 At last the golden dawn of an October morning 
 
 Disclosed to the enraptured eyes of the mighty 
 Argonauts, the fairest vision that ever yet unrolled 
 
 Itself to the human gaze since Adam with piety 
 
 First looked upon the newly created w^orks of 
 
 The Almighty. The primeval forests of beauty 
 Loomed above the horizon and the dream 
 
 Of a lifetime became a magnificent reality. 
 He saw before him a continent that stretched, 
 
 Though he knew not theji. from pole to pole. 
 And gemmed the boundless spaces that 
 
 Separated two mighty oceans which did roll. 
 
102 
 
 Who knows but in that moment of ecstacy 
 
 It was vouchsafed to him to see with prophetic 
 Ken what that continent was destined to be, 
 
 That at the end of four hundred years its majestic 
 Portion was to be the home of sixty millions 
 
 Of free men, noble, prosperous, happy, united, 
 Singing peans of praise to the man whose 
 
 Matchless genius this modern Canaan sighted, 
 
 And made it possible there to rear a monument 
 
 To freedom whose foundation would rest 
 Upon adamant and whose roof would 
 
 Shelter all nations, inviting them west; 
 And as he dipped into this vision of the future 
 
 He must have beheld the marvel those 
 Freemen had accomplished, those boundless 
 
 Acres teeming with all that nature grows; 
 
103 
 
 Magnificent cities vieing in grandeur and 
 
 Stateliness with the marble city of Augustus, 
 And infinitely surpassing it in all that contribute 
 
 To the refinement and amenities of living thus. 
 But above all his God loving and religious soul 
 
 Must have exalted in the conviction 
 That he had hewed the way for the Gospel, 
 
 That his sublime sacrifices with intention, 
 
 And immortal labors had helped the Cross 
 
 To surmount countless spires, and that the seed 
 He sowed when he knelt on our virgin soil 
 
 And unfurled CHRIST'S banner in speed, 
 Has borne incalculable fruit and enlarged 
 
 The kingdom of GOD's children beyond 
 All previous demensions, and in whom fond 
 
 Scintillations of a spiritual existence did respond. 
 Will Creedon, Graduate Jefferson Medical College, Phila., Pa., {Class ^90). 
 
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