Cargaison. (Translation) . Poem by Michael Walker

Poem Hunter/ John Masefield/ Poems/ 44/45.
The poem gives a vision of three ships, from different eras, sailing from one place towards home. The first, arowing-and-sailboat quiquireme, is from Nineveh rowing home to sunny Palestine, with a varied cargo of ivory, animals, wood, and'sweet white wine'. Slaves row the boat, assisted by sails.
The second ship is a stately Spanish galleon sailing through the Tropics from the Isthmus of Panama, near green shores; with a cargo of precious metals and stones.'Moidores' were priceless gold coins made in Portugal.
By contrast, the third ship is a 'dirty British coaster', caked in salt, sailing through the English Channel in March; with a cargo of coal, lead, railroad tracking, firewood, iron, 'and cheap tin trays'.
The third stanza is an anti-climax after the first two old-time vessels, which carry much more attractive, valuable cargo than the British coaster. I taught the poem in school: pupils liked it, as it was fairly easy to understand. 'Cargoes' remains a favourite of mine.