| Note from Joe: Be sure to notice (and read out loud!) the intentional clickety-clack rhythm of this poem. It may remind you of the famous train-car feeling of “ Rock Island ” from The Music Man. To assist the reader, I have added accent marks on the syllables that are intended to be stressed, with one stress per beat. The original poem does not have these “stress marks”. |
Quínquiréme of Nínevéh from dístánt Óphír,
Rówing hóme to háven ín súnny Pálestíne,
With a cárgó of ívorý,
And ápes ánd péacócks,
Sándalwóod, cédarwóod, and swéet whíte wíne.
Státely Spánish gálleón cóming fróm the Ísthmús,
Dípping thróugh the Trópics bý the pálm-gréen shóres,
With a cárgó of díamónds,
Émerálds, ámythýsts,
Tópazés, and cínnamón, and góld moídóres.
Dírty Brítish coáster wíth a sált-cáked smóke stáck,
Bútting thróugh the Chánnel ín the mád Márch dáys,
With a cárgó of Týne cóal,
Róad-ráils, píg-léad,
Fírewóod, íron-wáre, and chéap tín tráys.