Note from Joe: Be sure to notice (and read out loud!) the intentional clickety-clack rhythm of this poem. It may remind you of the famous train-car feeling of “Rock Island” from The Music Man. To assist the reader, I have added accent marks on the syllables that are intended to be stressed, with one stress per beat. The original poem does not have these “stress marks”.
Quínquiréme of Nínevéh from dístánt Óphír,
Rówing hóme to háven ín súnny Pálestíne,
With a cárgó of ívorý,
And ápes ánd péacócks,
Sándalwóod, cédarwóod, and swéet whíte wíne.
Státely Spánish gálleón cóming fróm the Ísthmús,
Dípping thróugh the Trópics bý the pálm-gréen shóres,
With a cárgó of díamónds,
Émerálds, ámythýsts,
Tópazés, and cínnamón, and góld moídóres.
Dírty Brítish coáster wíth a sált-cáked smóke stáck,
Bútting thróugh the Chánnel ín the mád Márch dáys,
With a cárgó of Týne cóal,
Róad-ráils, píg-léad,
Fírewóod, íron-wáre, and chéap tín tráys.