Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Americas: Vol. XXX. 1876–79. | | | | South America: Gallo, the Island, Ecuador | | Crossing the Line | | Charlotte Fiske Bates (1838–1916) |
| | | PIZARRO’S crimes of perfidy and blood, | |
| So largely due to training, time, and race, | |
| Obscure the brilliance of the hero still; | |
| Yet once, at least, immortally he stood, | |
| Sublime in utterance, sublime in will, | 5 |
| While looking awful Peril in the face. | |
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| He calls his men, and at the leader’s word, | |
| Their presence answers quick, though sore depressed. | |
| All further ventures would they now resign, | |
| But lo! Pizarro traces with his sword | 10 |
| Along drear Gallo’s sand the telling line | |
| From west to east, and thus his band addressed:— | |
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| “On that side, comrades, toil and hunger wait, | |
| Battle and death,—for some their lives must lose,— | |
| On this side, truly, safety lies,—but ah! | 15 |
| On that, the glory of a splendid state, | |
| On this but poverty and Panama. | |
| Now, as becomes the brave Castilian, choose! | |
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| “As for myself, I go towards the south; | |
| Let who will follow!” and he passed that bound | 20 |
| Like Rubicon, enduring, though in sand! | |
| Spurred by the doughty foot and daring mouth, | |
| Then followed thirteen of his little band; | |
| The die was cast,—at length Peru was found! | |
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| When powers that serve thee, flag, since foiled so long, | 25 |
| Summon them, soul! Draw what Pizarro drew; | |
| Point to that land of riches, this of lack; | |
| Speak as he spake, then cross the line as strong, | |
| Leaving poor Panama behind thy back, | |
| To find at last the glory of Peru! | 30 | | | |
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