jewels on a fancy. But even then his troubles were not over,
nay, they were only begun. For the story of his voyage is
one long scene of clang'er from the weakness of his ships to
the mutiny of his crew. And it was only the courage of this
one man that brought it to completion. Only the hardy
genius, the inflexible constancy, the heroic courage of this
one man that brought the ends of the earth together and
forged the link which binds the Old World to the New.
“It is but an idle fancy, and the man is mad,” they said.
But they that said it have been answered. And they that
said it have gone down to unknown graves, while he shall
live on in the hearts of men forever.
For tho’ “he builded better than he knew,” men always
pay their homage, justly due. to genius, courage and “an
idle fancy” when crowned with success and honor.
When Winter struggling with the sun,
Still lingers past the birth of Spring,
Still with its chill breath whispering
Of cold and dreary days not done;
When thro’ the earth glad tremors run,
As smile of sun aud tears of rain
Arouse from death new life again
And bid drear Winter to be gone.
That time of year is here at last.
And new come buds now burst to bloom,
And new come birds now gladly sing,
And speak to us, “Forget the past,
Go bury grief in Winter’s tomb,
Take life and joy with us in Spring.”
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APRIG