Guys, this is doing my head in!

I have been asked to get the title of a poem that includes the following lines:

"Peacocks from Barbary"

&

"Spices from Zanzibar"

For some reason it is familiar from my childhood but I can't place it!

Can anyone help?

Is it "Cargoes" by John Masefield? Not quite the same words, but the same as someone else misremembered in April 2000.

Quinquereme of Nineveh from distant Ophir
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory,
And apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,
Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,
With a cargo of diamonds,
Emeralds, amethysts,
Topazes, and cinnamon and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack
Butting through the channel in the mad March days,
With a cargo of Tyne coal,
Road-rail, pig-lead
Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

I see 'Lorraine' was looking for this one in 2000, and got no answer.

[tinyurl.com]

Was it in a poetry book used at schools?

Thanks Linda, you may be right...

...but the references to Barbary and Zanzibar are still niggling me! I think I read this poem at school between 11-13years old.

Anyway, a friend has asked me about this poem so I will pass it onto him...

BUT, I'm going to keep on looking for the time being for my own satisfaction.

best regards

Jefferson

IanB

I noticed that as well so I'm going to see if I can e-mail her if she was successful.

I think I did read it at school - see my reply to Linda.

Thanks for your interest.

Jefferson