[2] The statement has been carelessly made in some juvenile books dealing with the age of discovery, that in the time of Columbus nobody knew that the world was round. This of course is not even approximately the case. The conception of the earth as a sphere was generally set forth in what might be called books of science, and even in some popular works like that of Sir John Maundeville, who died in 1372. Its acceptance by the public, however, may be said to have followed somewhat the course of the Darwinian theory in the nineteenth century. Long after evolution was admitted as a truth by scientific men there were schools and even colleges which refused to teach it, and in fact it was not accepted by the public until the generation which first heard of it had died.
SUNSET SONG
Down upon our seaward light, Swept by all the winds that blow, Birds come reeling in their flight— (Ay de mi, Cristofero!) Petrels tossing on the gale, Falcons daring sleet and hail, Curlews whistling high and far, Waifs that cross the harbor bar Borne from isles we do not know— (Ay de mi, Cristofero!)
Round our island haven blest Waves like drifted mountain snow Break from out the shoreless West— (Ay de mi, Cristofero!) Cast ashore a broken spar Born beneath some alien star, Broken, beaten by the wave— In what far-off unknown grave Lie the hands that shaped it so? (Ay de mi, Cristofero!)
Sails upon the gray world's edge Like mute phantoms come and go,— Life and honor men will pledge— (Ay de mi, Cristofero!) For the pearls and gems and gold That the burning Indies hold. Or the Guinea coast they dare With its fever-poisoned air For the slaves they capture so (Ay de mi, Cristofero!)
In our chamber small to-night, Fair as love's immortal glow, Shines our silver censer-light— (Ay de mi, Cristofero!) What is this that holds thee fast In old histories of the past? Put the time-stained parchments by, Men have sought where dead men lie For the secret thou wouldst know— All too long, Cristofero!