Question

How does the simile in the line "The words leapt like a leaping sword" in Stanza 4 affect the poem?

It creates a mental image of Columbus physically attacking his crew.

It brings to life the energetic effect these words have on the sailors.

It reminds readers that Columbus and his men are armed against natives.

It calls attention to the fact that sailing to the New World was dangerous.




Behind him lay the gray Azores,

Behind the Gates of Hercules;

Before him not the ghost of shores,

Before him only shoreless seas.

The good mate said: “Now must we pray,

For lo! the very stars are gone.

Brave Admiral, speak, what shall I say?”

“Why, say, ‘Sail on! sail on! and on!’”



“My men grow mutinous day by day;

My men grow ghastly wan and weak.”

The stout mate thought of home; a spray

Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.

“What shall I say, brave Admiral, say,

If we sight naught but seas at dawn?”

“Why, you shall say at break of day,

‘Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!’”



They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow,

Until at last the blanched mate said:

“Why, now not even God would know

Should I and all my men fall dead.

These very winds forget their way,

For God from these dread seas is gone.

Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say”—

He said: “Sail on! sail on! and on!”



They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the mate:

“This mad sea shows his teeth to-night.

He curls his lip, he lies in wait,

With lifted teeth, as if to bite!

Brave Admiral, say but one good word:

What shall we do when hope is gone?”

The words leapt like a leaping sword:

“Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!”



Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck,

And peered through darkness. Ah, that night

Of all dark nights! And then a speck—

A light! A light! A light! A light!

It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!

It grew to be Time’s burst of dawn.

He gained a world; he gave that world

Its grandest lesson: “On! sail on!”

Answer 1

It brings to life the energetic effect these words have on the sailors.

Step-by-step explanation:

hope im correct :))

Answer 2

The best answer choice for the question: How does the simile in the line "The words leapt like a leaping sword" in stanza 4 affect the poem?, would be: It brings to life the energetic effect these words have on the sailors.

Step-by-step explanation:

This poem titled "Columbus" and authored by Joaquin Miller, was published in an American Anthology, 1787-1900. It narrates the events experienced by Christopher Columbus and his crew as they were sailing the seas and how Columbus has to use words to maintain the faith of the crew as they face more hardships than success in their voyage.

In stanza 4, as the faith of the crew dimishes more and more, and the difficulties increase, to the point that even the mate starts to question the decisions their Admiral, Columbus, is making. All Columbus does is use the same words after every reflection: "Sail on, Sail on".

When finally in the stanza, they use the simile "the words leap like a leaping sword" what the author is doing is using the idea of a sword that suddenly rises with energy, to show that Columbus wishes to encourage his crew and keep up their faith. These words, in fact, have the desired effect.