Classic Poem

TO THE COUNTESS AMERIGA VESPUCCI

Descendant of the chief who stamped his name
On Earth's hesperian hemisphere, I greet
Not only thy hereditary fame
But beauty, wit, and spirit, bold and sweet,
That captivate alike, where'er thou art,
The British and the Transatlantic heart.
Ameriga Vespucci, thou art fair
As classic Venus; but the poets gave
Her not thy noble, more than classic, air
Of courage. Homer's Venus was not brave:
She shrieked, and fled the fight. You never fled,
But in the cause of freedom fought and bled.