Rehashing History: Christopher Columbus, a Man With a Plan
Columbus was not the slightest bit offended
At King Ferdinand's dismissive sound
When he declared the world was round,
His was not a plan that very many comprehended.
Though the queen, Isabella, thought Chris a fine fella,
Her spouse wanted nor hair nor hide of it.
"The horizon", he snarled, "marks the edge of the world."
But Capt. C. was convinced that the horizon was not the edge of the world and that India was somewhere on the other side of it.
"Well, the subject is moot, Spain is broke, we've no loot.
Coffers practically bare, no dinero to spare,
Such a venture is out of the question.
Why not Egypt, or Malta, or Crete, or Gibraltar,
Or something cheaper that we can invest in?"
As Chris started to go, Isabella cried, "Whoa!
Let's dispense with pecunious tomfoolery.
Though we've no ready cash for a project so brash,
I could hock some, or all, of my joolery."
So three ships were anointed, and westward they pointed,
And the horizon they bravely set sail for it.
But the monarchs soon bailed when Chris' treasure search failed,
And to Spain he returned, but no honors he earned.
Instead, he was stripped of command and put in jail for it.
Later, of course, his accomplishment was plain,
And a whole New World was laid open for Spain.
No, Columbus wasn't looking for America when he "found" it,
He just couldn't seem to navigate three caravels around it.
For Columbus Day
October 10, 2022
Copyright © Jim Slaughter | Year Posted 2022
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