TO KALAKAUA
(WITH A PRESENT OF A PEARL)
| The Silver Ship, my King—that was her name In the bright islands whence your fathers came[1]— The Silver Ship, at rest from winds and tides, Below your palace in your harbour rides: And the seafarers, sitting safe on shore, Like eager merchants count their treasures o’er. One gift they find, one strange and lovely thing, Now doubly precious since it pleased a king. The right, my liege, is ancient as the lyre For bards to give to kings what kings admire. ’Tis mine to offer for Apollo’s sake; And since the gift is fitting, yours to take. To golden hands the golden pearl I bring: The ocean jewel to the island king. Honolulu, Feb. 3, 1889. |
[1] The yacht Casco had been so called by the people of Fakarava in Tahiti.