Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir

Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,

With a cargo of ivory,And apes and peacocks,

Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.
Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,

Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,

With a cargo of diamonds,

Emeralds, amethysts,

Topazes, and cinnemon and gold moidores.
Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack

Butting 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.