[Who gave the name to Galveston.]
I.
Beneath the dusky tropic stars,
And misty moons that rose and fled,
His fleet with drooping sails and spars
Across the breathless Gulf he led, —
Galvez!
A man of noble mien was he,
Who thought that will was destiny.
In flaming skies he saw afar
Clear Pensacola's palmy sound,
And, rising o'er the harbor bar,
The English fortress, turret-crowned, —
Galvez!
And English flag that claimed the main,
And mocked the double crowns of Spain.
"No ship can ever cross the bar,"
The pilots, one by one, exclaimed;
He scanned the glimmering sky afar,
Where low the red-cross banner flamed,
Galvez!
"The ships shall cross the bar," said he,
"And plough the white sands like the sea.
"On, on! "The unwilling rudders turned
Toward the narrow channels, when
He in the sinking tides discerned
The shifting sands, and called again, —
Galvez!
"Brave men, like gods, events create,
And will is destiny, — not fate!"
"Back, back again!" broke from the lips
Of Spanish pilots, old and grave;
Stern grew the master of the ships,
And grand, as though he ruled the wave,
Galvez!
"Bring me the Cross of Spain," said he,
"And launch the life-boat on the sea!"
The boat was launched; the flag of Spain
He seized with purpose firm, and then
He leaped upon the level main,
And proudly turned toward his men, —
Galvez!
And rowed the life-boat toward the bar,
Then faced the silent crews afar.
"Shall Spain's sea banner suffer loss?"
Its folds Castilian rippled down,
Two golden crowns beneath the cross,
And for a kingdom stood each crown, —
Galvez !
What sullen eyes beheld him bear
That glimmering banner through the air!
Boom! boom! The English guns rang clear,
And fell a shower of leaden rain,
But Galvez heard without a fear,
And faced the wondering crews of Spain, —
Galvez!
"Ho, anchors lift!" loud shouted he,
"And plough the sand-bars like the sea!"
Boom! boom! the fortress thundered loud,
And fell again the rain of fire;
But he, amid his silken cloud.
Moved on like Arion with his lyre, —
Galvez!
Moved on, and on, and cried again,
"Ho, follow me, ye ships of Spain!"
The banner shining on the sea,
The smoke rolled o'er it like a cloud,
Then from the shade it floated free
O'er Galvez, still erect and proud, —
Galvez!
Immortal be his name.
'Tis souls that burn that souls inflame!
Lo, now the white sails lift on high,
Gay with the flags of old Castile!
He sees the light ships toward him fly,
And plough the bar, keel after keel,
Galvez!
His soul alone upon the sea
Had won a twofold victory!
Whene'er I see Galveston's arch
Above the booming waves, I feel
His spirit still whose mighty march
The city and the bay reveal, —
Galvez !
A man of inspiration, he
Who walked with feet of faith the sea.
Bernardo de Galvez was Spanish Governor of Louisiana. He