Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir

Rowing home to haven¹ in sunny Palestine，

With a cargo² of ivory，

And apes and peacocks，

Sandalwood， cedarwood， and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon³ coming from the Isthmus⁴，

Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores，

With a cargo of diamonds，

Emeralds， amethysts⁵，

Topazes， and cinnemon and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack

Butting⁶ through the Channel in the mad March days，

With a cargo of Tyne coal，

Road-rail， pig-lead，

Firewood， iron-ware， and cheap tin trays.

John Masefield， 1878 - 1967