ID: 00000144
FECHA: 9* / 1888*
LUGAR: *
REMITENTES:
DESTINATARIOS:
RESUMEN:
No es una carta sino un poema de Álcalá Galiano en inglés dedicado a Alfonso XII
TRANSCRIPCIÓN:
The Trial trip of the Spanish Sleamer,
Alfonso XII
See! the vessel is born, and has opened her wings,
And her name is the name of the noblest of kings;
See the strength of her fabric! first gem of the main,
See, her flag is enwrought with the scutcheon of Spain!
Yesterday saw a forest —each mast then a tree—
But to-day sees a barque sailing gorgeous and free.
Yesterday saw a rock in the tomb of a mine.
But to-day sees a ship, and the pride of the Tyne.
Northumbrian might, on Northumbrian strand,
With the spark of the brain, with the hammer in hand,
Built this microcosm, and Commerce has sold
This floating Alhambra, this palace of gold.
Like a charge of steel she careers o’er the main,
Like an eagle of brass on her pinions of steam,
The brave vessel contends in the nautical race;
She will fly, and be winner of time and of space.
An express of the Ocean! t’was thus she was made
By the Spirits of Peace, and the genius of Trade.
She resolves her huge wheel, she displays her vast sail;
Full of life is her cargo, her treasure—The Mail.
For the Mail is the breath and the life of mankind,
The true food for the heart, the true food the mind,
With its letters of love, and its visions of home,
With its kisses of Country, wherever we roam.
On the Mail come the songs of joy, pleasure, and health,
The outpourings of sorrow, the cipher of wealth,
And it links with a gold chain all races and lands,
And it marries the thoughts when are farthest the hands.
Speed away, noble ship! in our ports never rest,
For thy country’s the World, and thy course is the West.
Speed away, where Columbus has marked out thy line,
And there publish the fame of thy Father the Tyne.
JOSE ALCALÁ-GALIANO.
CONSUL FOR SPAIN.
Newcastle-on-Tyne
September 4thr. 1888
NOTAS:
Se ha transcrito el texto respetando el original. La fecha de recepción propuesta refiere a la de la publicación de Alcalá Galiano expresada en el impreso. El opúsculo está decorado con bellas imágenes.
(*) probable