They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the mate: "This mad sea shows his teeth to-night. He lifts his lip, he lies in wait, With lifted teeth, as if to bite! Brave Admiral, say but one good word: What shall we do when hope is gone?" The words leapt like a leaping sword: "Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!" Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck, And peered through darkness. Ah, that night Of all dark nights! And then a speck-- A light! a light! a light! a light! It grew, a starlit flag unfurled! It grew to be Time's burst of dawn. He gained a world; he gave that world Its grandest lesson: "On! sail on!" JOAQUIN MILLER. Columbus reached Spain again on March 15, 1493, and at once sent word of his arrival to Ferdinand and Isabella, who were at Barcelona. He was summoned to appear before them and was received with triumphal honors. The King and Queen arose at his approach, directed him to seat himself in their presence, and listened with intense interest to his story of the voyage. When he had finished, they sank to their knees, as did all present, and thanked God for this mark of his favor. THE THANKSGIVING FOR AMERICA [Barcelona, April, 1493] I 'Twas night upon the Darro. The risen moon above the silvery tower Of Comares shone, the silver sun of night, And poured its lustrous splendors through the halls Of the Alhambra. The air was breathless, Yet filled with ceaseless songs of nightingales, And odors sweet of falling orange blooms; The misty lamps were burning odorous oil; The uncurtained balconies were full of life, And laugh and song, and airy castanets And gay guitars. Afar Sierras rose, Domes, towers, and pinnacles, over royal heights, Whose crowns were gemmed with stars. The Generaliffe, The summer palace of old Moorish kings In vanished years, stood sentinel afar, A pile of shade, as brighter grew the moon, Impearling fountain sprays, and shimmering On seas of citron orchards cool and green, And terraces embowered with vernal vines And breathing flowers. In shadowy arcades Were loitering priests, and here and there A water-carrier passed with tinkling bells. There came a peal of horns That woke Granada, city of delights, From its long moonlight reverie. Again:-- The suave lute ceased to play, the castanet; The water-bearer stopped, and ceased his song The wandering troubadour. Then rent the air Another joyous peal, and oped the gates And entered there a train of cavaliers, Their helmets glittering in the low red moon, The streets and balconies All danced with wondering life. The train moved on, And filled the air again the horns melodious, And loud the heralds shouted:-- "_Thy name, O Fernando, through all earth shall be sounded, Columbus has triumphed, his foes are confounded!_"