But I remember comrades Old playmates on new seas— Whenas we traded orpiment Among the savages— A thousand leagues to south'ard And thirty years removed― They knew not noble Valdez, But me they knew and loved. Then they that found good liquor, And they that found fair plunder, Or secret shoals between, There burned our breaming-fagots A sail above an oar: As flashed each yearning anchor Rowed each to his desire! Where lay our loosened harness? Where turned our naked feet? Whose tavern 'mid the palm-trees? What quenchings of what heat? Oh fountain in the desert! Oh cistern in the waste! Oh bread we ate in secret! The youth new-taught of longing, Desire not more than quittance Than I those forfeit days! I dreamed to wait my pleasure Unchanged my spring would bide: Wherefore, to wait my pleasure, I put my spring aside Till, first in face of Fortune, And last in mazed disdain, I made Diego Valdez High Admiral of Spain. Then walked no wind 'neath Heaven Nor surge that did not aid— I dared extreme occasion, Nor ever one betrayed. They wrought a deeper treason (Led seas that served my needs!) They sold Diego Valdez To bondage of great deeds. The tempest flung me seaward, And men esteemed me bold! The calms embayed my quarry, The fog-wreath sealed his eyes; The dawn-wind brought my topsailsAnd men esteemed me wise! Yet 'spite my tyrant triumphs But, crowned by Fleet and People, To rob me of my hope! No prayer of mine shall move him, And the Steward of the Sea. To seek their loves again— But not Diego Valdez, High Admiral of Spain. |