KKSV 
 
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 tmston ...1.7} ,^. v . 
 
 ftfr 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 DANIEL C. OILMAN. 
 

 
 \ 
 
 
c 
 
 
 
THE 
 
 V I SIGN 
 
 O F 
 
 COLUMBUS, 
 
 A POEM;, 
 
 IN NINE BOOKS. 
 BY JOEL BARLOW. 
 
 THE FIFTH EDITION, CORRECTED. 
 
 Tu fpiegherai, Colombo, a un novo polo 
 Lontane si le fortunate antenne, 
 Ch'a pena feguira con gli occhi il volo 
 La Fama, c' ha mille occhi e ftiille penne. 
 Canti ella Alcide, e Bacco, e di te folo 
 Bafti a'pofteri tuoi, ch' alquanto accenne 
 Che quel poco dara lunga memoria 
 Di Poema degniflima, e d'iftoria. 
 
 Gierufalemme Liber ata. Canto XF'. Sta. 32. 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED, 
 
 THE CONSPIRACY OF KINGS* 
 A POEM, 
 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 PARIS: 
 
 PRINTED AT THE ENGLISH PRESS, RUE DK VAUGIRARD, 
 N. 1214; AND SOLD BY BARROIS, SENIOR, QUA! DE3 
 AUGUSTINS J AND R. THOMSON, RUE DE 
 eOMBDIE FRAN^AlSEj N. 42. 
 

ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 JL HIS Poem was firft publifhed in 
 America, in the year 1787. During that 
 year it went through two editions in that 
 country, and one in England. The Author 
 is informed, that it has been once reprinted 
 in America fince that period. He now offers 
 this edition to the Englifh Prefs in Paris, 
 merely for the lake of pr-eferving the nu 
 merous correftions and fome few additional 
 notes which he has found leifare to make 
 in it ; as a traveller, efpecially in countries 
 at war, is expofed to lofe his papers. Theie 
 were of a nature not to be replaced ; arid 
 they may lerve, in a confiderable degree, to 
 diminiih. the imperfections,, of the work. 
 
 Par is i 12 July 1J93' 
 

INTRODUCTION. 
 
 JL-jVERY circumilance relating to the difcovery 
 and fettlement of America, is an interefting ob 
 ject of enquiry. Yet, it is prefumed, from theprefent 
 ftate of literature in the United States, that many 
 perfons, who might be entertained with an American 
 production of this kind, are but nightly acquainted 
 with the life and character of that great man, whofe 
 extraordinary genius led him to thexiifcovery of the 
 continent, and whofe fmgular fufferings ought to 
 excite the indignation of the world. 
 
 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS was born in the re 
 public of Genoa, about the year 1447, at a time 
 when the navigation of Europe was tcarcely ex 
 tended beyond the limits of the Mediterranean. 
 The manner's compafs had been invented and in 
 common ufe for more than a century; yet with 
 the help of this fure guide, prompted by the molt 
 ardent fpirit of difcovery, and encouraged by the 
 patronage of princes, the mariners of thofe days 
 rarely ventured from the fight of land. They ac 
 quired great applaufe by failing along the coafl 
 of Africa, and difcovering fome of the neighbouring 
 iflands - 9 and after pufhing their refearches with the 
 
 A greater!: 
 
2 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 greatefl induftry and perfeverance for more than 
 half a century, the Portuguefe, who were the moft 
 fortunate and enterprifmg, extended their difco- 
 veries fouthward no farther than the equator. 
 
 THE rich commodities of the Eaft had, for fe- 
 veral ages, been brought into Europe by the way 
 of the Red-Sea and the Mediterranean ; and it had 
 now become the object of die Portuguefe to find a 
 paffage to India, by failing round the fouthern ex 
 tremity of Africa, and then taking an eaflern courfe. 
 This great object engaged the general attention of 
 mankind, and drew into the Portuguefe fervice 
 adventurers from every maritime nation in Europe. 
 Every year added to their experience in navigation, 
 and feemed to promife a reward to their induftry. 
 The profpe&, however, of arriving at India was 
 extremely diftant ; fifty years perfeverance in the 
 fame track, had brought them only to the equator; 
 ' and it was probable that as many more would 
 elapfe before they could accomplim their pur- 
 pofe. But Columbus, by an uncommon exertion 
 of genius, formed a defign no lefs aftonifhing to 
 the age in which he lived, than beneficial to 
 pofterity. This defign was to fail to India by tak 
 ing a weftern direction. By the accounts of travel 
 lers who had vifited India, that country feemed 
 almoft without limits on die eaft ; and, by 
 
 attending 
 
INTRODUCTION'. 3 
 
 attending to the fpherical figure of the earth, 
 Columbus drew this conclufion that the Atlantic 
 ocean muft be bounded on the weft either by 
 India itfelf, or by fome great continent not far 
 diftant from it. 
 
 THIS extraordinary man, who was now about 
 twenty-feven years of age, appears to have pof- 
 feiTed every talent, requifite to form and execute 
 the greateft enterprifes. He was early educated 
 in all the ufeful fciences that were taught in that 
 day. He had made great proficiency in geography, 
 aflronomy and drawing, as they were neceffary 
 to his favourite purfuit of navigation. He had 
 now been a number of years in the fervice of 
 the Portuguefe, and had acquired all the expe 
 rience that their voyages and difcoveries could 
 afford. His courage and perfeverance had been 
 put to the fevered teft, and the exercife of every 
 amiable and heroic virtue rendered him univerfally 
 known and refpeclied. He had married a Portu 
 guefe lady, by whom he had two fons, Diego and 
 Ferdinand ; the younger of whom is the hiflorian 
 of his life. 
 
 SUCH was the fituation of Columbus, when he 
 formed and thoroughly digefted a plan, which, in 
 its operation and confequences, unfolded to the 
 view of mankind one half of the globe, diffufed 
 
 A 2 wealth 
 
4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 wealth and dignity over the other, and extended 
 commerce and civilization through the whole. 
 To corroborate the theory which he had formed of 
 the exiftence of a weftern continent, his difcerning 
 mind, which always knew the application of every 
 circumftance that fell in his way, had obferved 
 feveral faclis, which by others would have paffed 
 unnoticed. In his voyages to the African iilands, 
 he had found, floating ailiore after a long weftern 
 ilorm, pieces of wood carved in a curious manner, 
 canes of a iize unknown in that quarter of the 
 world, and human bodies with very fingular fea 
 tures. Fully confirmed in the opinion that a con- 
 liderable portion of the earth was ftill undifcovered, 
 his genius was too vigorous and perfevering to 
 fuffer an idea of this importance to reft merely in 
 fpeculation, as it had done in the minds of Plato 
 and Seneca, who appear to have had conjectures of 
 a limilar nature. He determined therefore to bring 
 liis favourite theory to the teft of experiment. But 
 an object of that magnitude required the patronage 
 of a prince ; and a defign fo extraordinary, met 
 with all the obftrudions, delays and difappoint- 
 incuts, which an age of fuperflition could invent, 
 and which perfonal jealoufy and malice could mag 
 nify and encourage. Happily for mankind, in this 
 inftance, a genius, capable of devifing die greatefl 
 
 tinder- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 undertakings, aiTociated in itfeif a degree of pa 
 tience and enterprife, modefty and confidence, 
 which rendered him fuperior, not only to thefe 
 misfortunes, but to all the future calamities of his 
 life. Excited by the mod ardent enthuiiafm to 
 be the difcoverer of new continents, and fully fen- 
 fible of the advantages that would reiult to man 
 kind from fuch difcoveries, he had the mortification 
 to wafle away eighteen years of his life, after his 
 fyflem was well efta-blimed in his own mind, before 
 he could obtain the means of executing his defigns. 
 The greatell part of this period was fpent in fuc- 
 ceflive and fruitlefs felicitations, in Genoa, Portu 
 gal, and Spain. As a duty to his native country, 
 he made his firft propofal to the Senate of Genoa ; 
 where it was foon rejected. Confcious of the truth 
 of his theory, and of his own abilities to execute his 
 defign, he retired without dejection' from a body of 
 men who were incapable of forming any juft ideas 
 upon the fubject ; and applied with frem confi 
 dence to John the Second, king of Portugal, who 
 had diftinguifhed himfelf as the great patron of 
 navigation, and in whofe fervfce Columbus had 
 acquired a reputation which entitled him and his 
 project to general confidence and approbation. But 
 here he fuffered an infult much greater than a direct 
 refufal. After referring the examination of his 
 
 A 3 fcheme 
 
6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 fcheme to the council who had the direction of 
 naval affairs, -and drawing from him his general 
 ideas of the length of the voyage and the courfe he 
 meant to take, that great monarch had the mean- 
 nefs to confpire with this council to rob Columbus 
 of the glory and advantage he expected to derive 
 from his undertaking. While Columbus was 
 amufed with this negotiation, in hopes of having 
 his fcheme adopted and patronifed, a vefTel was 
 fecretly difpatched, by order of the king, to make 
 the. intended difcovery. Want of {kill and perfe- 
 verance in the pilot rendered the plot unfuccefsful ; 
 and Columbus, on difcovering die treachery, re 
 tired with an ingenuous indignation from a court 
 capable of fuch duplicity. 
 
 HAVING now performed what was due to the 
 country that gave him birth, and to the one that 
 had adopted him as a fubject, he was at liberty to 
 court the patronage of any prince who iliould have 
 the wifdom and juflice to accept his propofals. He 
 had communicated his ideas to his brother Bar 
 tholomew, whom he fent to England to negotiate 
 with Henry the Seventh ; at the fame time that he 
 went himfelf into Spain to apply in perfon to Fer 
 dinand and Ifabella, who governed the united 
 kingdoms of Arragon and Caftile. The circum- 
 ftances of his brother's application in England, 
 
 which 
 
INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 v/hich appears to have been unfuccefsful, is not to 
 my purpofe to relate ; and the limits prefcribed to 
 this Introduction will prevent the detail of all the 
 particulars relating to his own negotiation in Spain. 
 In this negotiation Columbus fpent eight years in 
 the various agitations of fufpence, expectation and 
 difappointment ; till at length his fcheme was 
 adopted by Ifabella, who undertook, as queen of 
 Caftile, to defray the expences of the expedition ; 
 and declared herfeif, ever after, the friend' and 
 patron of the hero who projected it. 
 
 COLUMBUS, who, during all his ill fuccefs in 
 the negotiation, never abated any thing of the 
 honours and emoluments which he expected ta 
 acquire in the expedition, obtained from Ferdinand 
 and liabella a full ftipulation of every article con 
 tained in his firfh propofals. He was conflituted 
 high admiral and viceroy of all the feas, iflands, 
 and continents which he fhould difcover; with 
 power to receive one tenth of the profits arifing 
 from their productions and commerce. Thefe 
 offices and emoluments were to be hereditary iii 
 his family. 
 
 THESE articles being adjufted, the preparations 
 for the voyage were brought forward with rapidity > 
 but they were by no means adequate to the im 
 portance of the expedition. Three fmall veflels, 
 
 A 4 fcarcely 
 
8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 fcarcely furncient in ilze to be employed in the 
 coafting buflnefs, were appointed to traverfe the 
 vafl Atlantic ; and to encounter the florms and 
 currents that might be expected in fo long a voyage, 
 through diflant and unknown leas. Thefe veffels, 
 as might be expected in the infancy of navigation, 
 were ill conflructed, in a poor condition, and 
 manned by feamen unaccuflomed to diflant 
 voyages. But the tedious length of time which 
 Columbus had fpent in felicitation and fufpence, 
 and the profpect of being able foon to obtain the 
 object of his wifhes, induced him to overlook what 
 he could not eafily remedy, and led him to difre- 
 gard thofe circumflances which would have inti 
 midated any other mind. He accordingly equipped 
 his fmall fquadron with as much expedition as 
 poffible, manned with ninety men, and victualled 
 for one year. With thefe, on the 3d of Auguft 
 1492, amidfl a vafl crowd of anxious fpectators, 
 he fet fail on an enterprife, which, if we confider 
 the ill condition of his fhips, the inexperience of 
 his failors, the length and uncertainty of his voyage, 
 and the confequences that flowed from it, was the 
 mofl daring and important that ever was under 
 taken. He touched at fome of the Portuguefe 
 fettlements in the Canary Ifles ; where, although he 
 had been but a few days out, he found his vefTels 
 
 needed 
 
INTRODUCTION. 9 
 
 needed refitting. He foon made the neceiTary re 
 pairs, and took his departure from the weftermoft 
 iilands that had hitherto been difcovered. Here he 
 left the former track of navigation, and fleered his 
 courfe due weft. 
 
 NOT many days after he had been at fea, he 
 began to experience a new fcene of difficulty. 
 The failors now began to contemplate the dangers 
 and uncertain iffue of a voyage, the nature and 
 length of which was left entirely open to conjecture. 
 Befides the ficklenefs and timidity natural to men 
 unaccuftomed to the difcipline of a fea-faring life, 
 feveral circumftances contributed to infpire an ob- 
 ftinate and mutinous difpontion, which required 
 
 the mod confummate art, as well as fortitude, in 
 
 / 
 
 the admiral to controul. Having been three weeks 
 at fea, and experienced the uniform courfe of the 
 trade winds, which always blow in a wefiern direc 
 tion, they contended that, iliould they continue the 
 fame courfe for a longer period, the fame winds 
 would never permit them to return to Spain. The 
 magnetic needle began to vary its direction. This 
 being the rirft time that phenomenon was ever 
 difcovered, it was viewed by the failors with aflo- 
 nimment, and confidered as an indication that na 
 ture itfelf had changed her courfe, and that Provi 
 dence was determined to puniili thejr audacity, in 
 
 venturing 
 
10 I N T R O D U C T I O N. 
 
 venturing fo far beyond the ordinary bounds of 
 man. They declared that the commands of their 
 fovereign had been fully obeyed, in their proceed 
 ing fo many days in the fame direction, and fo far 
 furpaflmg the attempts of ail former navigators, in 
 quefl of new difcoveries. Every talent, requifite 
 for governing, foothing and tempering the pamons 
 of men, is confpicuous in the conduct of Columbus 
 on this occafion. The dignity and affability of his 
 manners, his furprifing knowledge and experience 
 in naval affairs, his unwearied and minute attention 
 to the duties of his command, gave him a com 
 plete afcendency over the minds of his men, and 
 infpired that degree of confidence vlii:h would 
 have maintained his authority in almoft any poffi- 
 ble circumflances. But here, from the nature of 
 the undertaking, every man had leifure to feed his 
 imagination with all the gloominefs and uncertainty 
 of the profped. They found, every day, that the 
 fame fceady gales carried them with great rapidity 
 from their native country, and indeed from all 
 countries of which they had any knowledge. Not- 
 withflanding all the variety of management with 
 which Columbus addrelTed himfelf to their paffions 
 fometimes by foothing them with the prognoftics 
 of difcovering land, fometimes by flattering their 
 ambition and feafling their avarice with the glory 
 
 and 
 
INTRODUCTION. n 
 
 and wealth they would acquire from difcovering 
 thofe rich countries beyond the Atlantic, and fome- 
 times by threatening them with the difpleafure of 
 their fovereign, fliouid their timidity and difobe- 
 dience defeat fo great an object their uneafmefs 
 ftill increafed. From fecret whifperings, it arofe to 
 open mutiny and dangerous confpiracy. At length 
 they determined to rid themfelves of the remon- 
 flrances of Columbus, by throwing him into the 
 fea. The infection fpread from fhip to fhip, and 
 involved officers as well as common failors. They 
 finally loft all fenfe of fubordination, and addrefTed 
 their commander in an infolent manner, demand 
 ing to be conducted immediately back to Spain, 
 or, they aff ured him, they w.ould feek their own 
 fafety by taking away his life. Columbus, whofe 
 fagacity and penetration had difcovered every 
 fymptom of the diforder, was prepared for this laft 
 ftage of it, and was fufficiently apprifed of the 
 danger that awaited him. He found it vain to 
 contend with pafllons he could no longer controul. 
 He therefore propofed that they fhould obey his 
 orders for three days longer ; and, mould they not 
 difcover land in that time, he would then direct his 
 courfe for Spain. They complied with his pro- 
 pofal ; and, happily for mankind, in three days 
 they difcovered land. This was a fmall ifland, to 
 
 which 
 
12 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 which Columbus gave the name of San Salvador. 
 Their firft interview with the natives was a fcene 
 of amufement and compaflion on the one part, and 
 of aftonimment and adoration on the other. The 
 natives were entirely naked, fimple and timorous ; 
 and they viewed the Spaniards as a fuperior order 
 of beings, defcended from the Sun, which, in that 
 ifland, and in moft parts of America, was wor 
 th ipped as a Deity. By this it was eaiy for Co 
 lumbus to perceive the line of conduct proper to 
 be obferved toward that fimple and inoffeniive 
 people. Had his companions and fucceffors, of 
 the Spaniih nation, poffeffed the wifdom and hu 
 manity of that great difcoverer, the benevolent 
 mind would have had to experience no fenfations 
 of regret, in contemplating the exteniive ad 
 vantages anting to mankind from the difcovery 
 of America. 
 
 IN this voyage, Columbus difcovered the iflands 
 of Cuba and Hifpaniola ; on the latter of which he 
 erected a fmall fort, and having left a garrifon of 
 thirty-eight men under the command of an officer 
 of the name of Arada, he fet fail for Spain. Re 
 turning acrofs the Atlantic, he was overtaken by a 
 violent florin, which lafted feveral days, and in- 
 creafed to fuch a degree, as baffled all his naval 
 Ikill and threatened immediate deftrudtion. In this 
 
 fituation,, 
 
INTRODUCTION. 13 
 
 fituation, when all were in a flate of defpair, and it 
 was expected that every fea would fwallow up the 
 crazy veflel, he manifefled a ferenity and prefence 
 of mind, perhaps never equalled in cafes of like ex 
 tremity. He wrote a fhort account of his voyage and 
 of the difcoveries he had made, wrapped it in an 
 oiled cloth, enclofed it in a cake of wax, put it 
 into an empty caik, and threw it overboard, in 
 hopes that fome accident might preferve a depofit 
 of fo much importance to the world. 
 
 THE florm however abated, and he at length 
 arrived in Spain, after having been driven by 
 ftrefs of weather into the port of Lifbon, where he 
 had opportunity, in an interview with the king of 
 Portugal, to prove the truth of his fyftem by argu 
 ments more convincing than thofe he had before 
 advanced, in the character of an humble and un- 
 fuccefsful fuitor. He was received every where in 
 Spain with royal honours, his family was ennobled, 
 and his former flipulation refpedting his offices and 
 emoluments was ratified in the moft folemn man 
 ner, by Ferdinand and Ifabella ; while all Europe 
 refounded his praifes, and reciprocated their joy 
 and congratulations on the difcovery of a new 
 world. 
 
 THE immediate confequence of this was a fecond 
 voyage^ in which Columbus took charge of a fqua- 
 
 dron 
 
14 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 dron of feventeen (hips of confiderable burthen. 
 Volunteers of all ranks and conditions folicited to 
 be employed in this expedition. He carried over 
 fifteen hundred peribns, together with all the ne- 
 ceiTaries for eflablifhing a colony and extending his 
 difcoveries. In this voyage he explored mod of 
 the Weft-India Iflands ; but, on his arrival at 
 Hifpaniola, he found that the garrifon he had left 
 there had been totally deftroyed by the natives, 
 and the fort demolifhed. He however proceeded 
 in the planting of his colony ; and, by his prudent 
 and humane conduct towards the natives, he effec 
 tually eftablifhed the Spaniili authority in that 
 ifland. But while he was thus laying the founda 
 tion of their future grandeur in South America, 
 fome difcontented perfons, who had returned to 
 Spain, together with his former enemies in that 
 kingdom, confpired to accomplim his ruin. 
 
 THEY reprefented his conduct in fuch a light at 
 court , as to create uneafinefs and diilrufl in the 
 jealous mind of Ferdinand, and made it necefTary 
 for Columbus again to return to Spain, in order to 
 counteract their machinations, and to obtain fuch 
 farther fupplies as were neceflary to his great po 
 litical and benevolent purpofes. On his arriving at 
 court, and ftating with his ufual dignity and confi 
 dence the whole hiftory of his tranfactions abroad, 
 
 every 
 
INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 every thing wore a favourable appearance. He was 
 received with ufual honours, and foliated to take 
 charge of another fquadron, to carry out farther 
 iupplies, to purfue his difcoveries, and in every 
 refpect to ufe his difcretion in extending the Spanifh 
 empire in the new world. In this third voyage he 
 difcovered the continent of America at the mouth 
 of the river Oronoque. He rectified many diforders 
 in his government of Hifpaniola, which had hap 
 pened in his abfence ; and every thing was going on 
 in~ a profperous train, when an event was announced 
 to him, which completed his own ruin, and gave a 
 fatal turn to the Spaniflx policy and conduct in 
 America. This was the arrival of Francis de 
 Bovadilla, with a commiffion to fupercede Co 
 lumbus in his government ; and with power to 
 arraign him as a criminal, and to judge of his 
 former adminiftration. 
 
 IT feems that by this time the enemies of Co 
 lumbus, defpairing to complete his overthrow by 
 groundlefs infinuations of mal-conduct, had taken 
 the more effectual method of exciting the jealoufy 
 of their fovereigns. From the promifmg famples 
 of gold and other valuable commodities brought 
 from America, they took occafion to reprefent to 
 the king and queen, that the prodigious wealth 
 and extent of the countries he had difcovered would 
 
 foon 
 
16 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 foon throw fuch power into the hands of the 
 viceroy, that he would trample on the royal autho 
 rity, and bid defiance to the Spanifh power. Thefe 
 arguments were well calculated for the cold and 
 fufpicious temper of Ferdinand, and they mull 
 have had fome effe6t upon the mind of Ifabella. 
 The confequence was the appointment of Bova- 
 dilla, who had been the inveterate enemy of 
 Columbus, to take the government from his hands. 
 This firil tyrant of the Spaniih nation in America 
 began his adminiflration by ordering Columbus to 
 be put in chains on board of a fhip, and fending 
 him prifoner to Spain. . By relaxing all difcipline, 
 he introduced diforder and licentioufnefs through 
 out the colony. He fubjected the unhappy natives 
 to a mofl miferable fervitude, and apportioned them 
 out in large numbers among his adherents. Under 
 this fevere treatment perifhed, in a fhort time, 
 many thoufands of thofe innocent people. 
 
 COLUMBUS was carried in his fetters to the 
 Spanifh court, where the king and queen either 
 feigned or felt a fufficient regret at the conduct of 
 Bovadilla towards this illuftrious prifoner. He was 
 not only releafed from confinement, but treated 
 with all imaginable refped. But, although the 
 king endeavoured to expiate the offence by cen- 
 furing and recalling Bovadilla, yet we may judge of 
 
 his 
 
INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 his fmcerity, from his appointing Nicholas de 
 Ovando, another bitter enemy of Columbus, to 
 fucceed in the government, and from his ever after 
 refufing to reinftate Columbus, or to fulfil any of 
 the conditions on which the difcoveries were under 
 taken. After two years of felicitation for this or 
 forne other employment, he at length obtained a 
 fquadron of four frnall veifels to attempt new dif 
 coveries. He now fet out, with the ardour and 
 enthufiafm of a young adventurer, in queft of what 
 was always his favourite object, a paiTage into the 
 South Sea, by which he might fail to India. He 
 touched at Hifpaniola, where Ovando, the gover 
 nor, refufed him admittance on more, even to take 
 flicker during a hurricane, the prognoftics of which 
 his experience had taught him to difcern. By 
 putting into a fmall creek, he rode out the ftorm, 
 and then bore away for the continent. He fpent 
 feveral months, in the mod boifterous feafon of the 
 year, in exploring the coaft round the gulph of 
 Mexico, in hopes of finding the intended naviga 
 tion to India. At length he was (hipwrecked, and 
 driven afhore on the ifland of Jamaica. 
 
 His cup of calamities feemed now completely 
 full. He was caft upon an rfland of favages, with 
 out provifions, without any vefTel, and thirty leagues 
 from any Spanifli fettlement. But the greateft 
 phyfical misfortunes are capable of being imbit- 
 
 B tered 
 
i8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tered by the Infults of our fellow-creatures. A few 
 of his, hardy companions generoufly offered, in two 
 Indian canoes, to attempt a voyage to Hifpaniola, 
 in hopes of obtaining a velfel for the relief of the 
 unhappy crew. After iufTering every extremity of 
 danger and hardiliip, they arrived at the Spanifh 
 colony in ten days. Ovando, through perfonal 
 malice and jealoufy of Columbus, after having de 
 tained thefe meffengers eight months, difpatched a 
 veffel to Jamaica, in order to fpy out the condition 
 of Columbus and his crew, with pofitive inflructions 
 to the captain not to afford them any relief. This 
 order was punctually executed. The captain ap 
 proached the ihore, delivered a letter of empty com 
 pliment from Ovando to the admiral, received his 
 aniwer, and returned. About four months after 
 wards a veilel came to their relief; and Columbus, 
 worn out with fatigues and broken with misfor 
 tunes, returned for the lafl time to Spain. Here a 
 new diftreis awaited him, which he confidered as 
 one of the greateit he had iufTered in his whole life : 
 this was the death of queen Ifabella, his laft and 
 greateft friend. 
 
 HE did not fuddenly abandon himfelf to defpair. 
 He called upon the gratitude and juftice of the king; 
 and, in terms of dignity, demanded the fulfilment 
 of his former contract. Notwithftanding his age 
 and infirmities, he even folicked to be farther em 
 ployed 
 
INTRODUCTION, 19 
 
 ployed in extending the career of difcovery, without 
 a profpect of any other reward but the confcioufnefs 
 of doing good to mankind. But Ferdinand, cold, 
 ungrateful, and timid, dared not to comply with a 
 iingle propofal of this kind, left he mould increafe 
 his own obligations to a man, whofe fervices he 
 thought it dangerous to reward. He therefore de 
 layed and avoided any deciiion on thefe fubje&s, in 
 hopes that the declining health of Columbus would 
 foon rid the court of the remonftrances of a man, 
 whofe extraordinary merit was, in their opinion, a 
 fufficient reafon for destroying him. In this they 
 were not difappointed. Columbus languifhed a- 
 ihort time, and gladly refigned a life, which had 
 been worn out in the moft efFential fervices, per 
 haps, that were ever rendered, by any one man, to, 
 an ungrateful world. 
 
 SOME time in this gloomy interval, before his 
 death, this Viiion is fuppofed to have been prefented 
 to him ; in order to fatisfy his benevolent mind, by 
 unfolding to him the importance of his difcoveries, 
 in their extenfive influence upon the interefl and 
 happinefs of mankind, in the progrefs of fociety. 
 
 THE author has indulged a fmall anachronifm in 
 the opening of the poem, for the fake of grouping 
 the misfortunes of the hero ; as the time of his real 
 
 B 2 im- 
 
20 I N T R O D U C T i O N. 
 
 imprifonment was previous to his laft voyage and 
 to the death of Ifabella. 
 
 THE author, at firft, formed an idea of attempting 
 a regular epic poem, on the difcovery of America. 
 But on examining the nature of that event, he found 
 that the moil brilliant fubjects incident to fuch a 
 plan would arife from the conferences of the difcovery, 
 and mu ft be reprefented in vifion. Indeed to have 
 made it a patriotic poem, by extending the fubject 
 to the fettlement and revolutions of North America, 
 and their probable effect upon the future progrefs 
 of fociety at large, would have protracted the vifion 
 to fuch a degree as to render it difproportionate to 
 the reft of the work. To avoid an abfurdity of this 
 kind, which he fuppofed the critics would not 
 pardon, he rejected the idea of a regular epic form, 
 and has confined his plan to the train of events 
 which might be reprefented to the hero in vifion. 
 This form he confiders as the be ft that the nature of 
 the fubjecl: would admit ; and the regularity of the 
 parts will appear by obferving, that there is a fingle 
 poetical delign conftantly kept in view, which is, to 
 gratify and fboth the defponding mind of the hero : 
 it being the greateft poffible reward of his fervices, 
 and the only one that his fituation would permit him 
 to enjoy, to convince him that his labours had not 
 been beftowed in vain, and that he was the author 
 of fuch extenfive happinefs to the human race, 
 
 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK I, 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 Condition and foliloquy of Columbus. Appearance and 
 fpeech of the Angel. 'They afcend the Mount ofViJlon, 
 foppofed to be on the wejlern coaft of Spain. Continent 
 of America draws Into view, and is defcribed by the 
 mountains, rivers, lakes, foil, temperature^ and fome 
 of the natural productions. 
 
T H E 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 B O O K. I. 
 
 ONG had the Sage, the firft who dar'd to brave 
 The unknown dangers of this weftern wave, 
 Who taught mankind where future empires lay 
 In thefe fair confines of defcencling day, 
 With cares o'erwhelm'd, in. life's diftrefling gloom, 5 
 
 Wifh'd from a thankiefs world a peaceful tomb ; 
 While kings and nations, envious of his name, 
 Enjoy'd his labours and ufurp'd his fame, 
 And gave the chief, from promised empire liorl'd, 
 Chains for a crown, a prifpn for, a world. 10 
 
 Now night and lilcnce held their lonely reign, 
 The half-orb'd moon declining to the main ; 
 Defcending clouds, o'er varying ether driven, 
 Obfcur'd the ftars and (hut the eye from heaven ; 
 Cold miils through op'ning grates the cell invade, 15 
 
 And deathlike terrors haunt the midnight {hade ; 
 When from a vifionary, fhort repofe, 
 That rais'd new cares and temper'd keener woes, 
 
 B Co- 
 
24 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS': 
 
 Columbus woke, and to the walls addrefs'd 
 
 The deep-felt forrows of his manly breait. 20 
 
 Here lies the purchafe, here the wretched fpoil, 
 Of painful years and perfevering toil. 
 For thefe dread wHlks, this hideous haunt of pain, 
 I trac'd new regions o'er the pathlefs main, 
 Dar'd all the dangers of the dreary wave, 25 
 
 Hung o'er its clefts and topp'd the furging grave, 
 Saw billowy feas in fwelling mountains roll, 
 And burfting thunders rock the reddening pole, 
 Death rear his front in every dreadful form, 
 Gape from beneath and blacken in the ftorm ; 30 
 
 Til 1 , toft far onward to the fkirts of day, 
 Where milder fans difpens'd a fmiling ray, 
 Through brighter ikies my happier fails defcry'd 
 The golden banks that bound the weftern tide, 
 And gave th' admiring world that bounteous fhore 35 
 
 Their wealth to nations and to kings their power. 
 
 Oh land of wonders ! dear, delufive coaft, 
 To thefe fond aged eyes for ever loft ! 
 No more thy flowery vales I travel o'er, 
 For me thy mountains rear the head no more, 40 
 
 For me thy rocks no fparkling gems unfold, 
 Or ftreams luxuriant wear their paths in gold ; 
 
 From 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 25 
 
 From realms of promis'd peace for ever borne, 
 I hail dread anguifh, and in fecret mourn. 
 
 But dangers pad, a world explored in vain, 45 
 
 And foes triumphant, fhew but half my pain. 
 Diflembling friends, each earlier joy wlio gave, 
 And fir'd my youth the ftorms of fate to brave, 
 Swarm'd in the fun mine of my happier days, 
 Purfu'd the fortune and partook the praife, -50 
 
 Bore in my doubtful caufe a two-fold part, 
 The garb of friendship and the viper's heart, 
 Now pafs my cell with fmlles of four difdain, 
 Infult my woes and triumph in my pain. 
 
 One gentle guardian Heav'n indulgent gave, 55 
 
 And now that ruardian fl umbers in the ?rave. 
 
 o , o 
 
 Hear from above, thou dear departed Shade,^ 
 
 As once my joys, my prefent forrows aid, 
 
 Burft my full heart, afford that laft relief, 
 
 Breathe back my fighs and reinfpire my grief; 60 
 
 Still in my fight thy royal form appears, 
 
 Reproves my filence and demands my tears. 
 
 On that bleft hour my foul delights to dwell, 
 
 When thy protection bade the canvafs fwell ; 
 
 * The death of queen Ifabella, which happened previous to 
 the laft return of Columbus from America, was his moil bitter 
 of regret ; as in her he loft his only friend. 
 
 When 
 
s6 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 When kings and courtiers found their fa&ions vain, 65 
 
 Blind SuperfHtion ihrunk beneath her chain, 
 
 The fun's glad beam led on the circling way, 
 
 And ifles rofe beauteous in the weftern day. 
 
 But o'er thofe filv'ry fhores, that new domain, 
 
 What crouds of tyrants fix their horrid reign ! 70 
 
 Again bold Freedom feeks her kindred fides, 
 
 Truth leaves the world, and Ifabella dies. 
 
 Oh, lend thy friendly fhroud to veil my fight, 
 That thefe pain'd eyes may dread no more the light,. 
 Thefe welcome {hades {hall clofe my inftant doom, 75 
 And this drear manfion moulder to a tomb. 
 
 Thus mourn'd the haplefs man, a thundering found 
 Roll'd round the fhuddering walls and {hook the ground ; 
 O'er all the dome, where folemn arches bend, 
 The roofs unfold and flreams of light defcend ; So 
 
 The growing fplendor fill'd th'aftonifh'd room, 
 And gales etherial breath'd a glad perfume ; 
 Mild in the midft a radiant feraph fhcne, 
 Rob'd in the veftments of the rifing fun ; 
 Tall rofe his ftature, youth's primeval grace 85 
 
 Adorn'd his limbs and brighten'd in his face, 
 His clofing wings, in golden plumage dreft, 
 With gentle fweep came folding o'er his bread, 
 
 His 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 27 
 
 His locks in rolling ringlets glittering hung, 
 
 And founds melodious mov'd his heav'nly tongue : 90 
 
 Rife, trembling Chief, to fcenes of rapture, rife, 
 This voice awaits thee from th' approving fkies ; 
 Thy juft complaints, in God's own prefence known, 
 Have callM companion from his bounteous throne ; 
 Aflame no more the deep defpondtng ftrain, 95 
 
 Nor count thy toils, nor deem thy virtues vain. 
 Tho' faithlefs men thy injur'd worth defpife, 
 'Tis thus they treat the bieflings of the fkies ; 
 For look thro' nature, Heav'n's own conduct trace, 
 What power divine fuftains th'unthankful race ! 100 
 
 From that great fource, that life-infpiring foul, 
 Suns drew their light and fyftems learn'd to roll, 
 Time walk'd the filent round, and life began, 
 And God's fair image ftamp'd the mind of man ; 
 His cares, his bounties fill the realms of fpace, 10$ 
 
 And fhine fuperior in thy favour 'd race ; 
 Men fpeak their wants, th' all-bounteous hand (applies, 
 And gives the good that mortals dare defpife. 
 In thefe dark vales where blinded faction fways, 
 Wealth, pride and conqueft claim the palm of praifc, 1 10 
 Aw'd into flaves, while grov'ling millions groan, 
 And blood-ftain'd fteps lead upwards to a throne. 
 
 Far 
 
s8 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Far other wreaths thy virtuous temples claim, 
 Far nobler honours build thy facred name ; 
 fee thine the joys immortal minds that grace, 115 
 
 And thine the toils that blefs a kindred race. 
 Now raife thy ravifh'd foul to fcenes more bright, 
 The vifion'd ages rifing on thy fight j 
 For, wing'd with fpeed, -from worlds of light I came, 
 To footh thy grief and ihow thy diftant. fame. I2O 
 
 As that great Seer, whofe animating rod 
 Taught Ifrael's fons the wonder-working God, 
 Who led, thro* dreary waftes, the murm'ring band 
 To the rich confines of the promis'd land, 
 Opprefs'd with years, from Pifgah's beauteous height, 125 
 O'er boundlefs regions caft the raptur'd fight ; 
 The blifs of unborn nations warm'd his breaft, 
 Repaid his toils and footh'd his foul to reft ; 
 Thus, o'er thy fubject wave, (halt thou behold 
 Far happier realms their future charms unfold, 1 30 
 
 In nobler pomp another Pifgah rife, 
 Beneath whofe foot thy new-found Canaan lies ; 
 There, rapt in vifion, hail the diftant clime, 
 And tafte the bleflings of remoteft time. 
 
 The Seraph fpoke ; and now before them lay 135 
 
 (The doors unbarr'd) a ftcep afcending way, 
 
 That, 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 29 
 
 That, through difpartlng fhades, arofe on high, 
 ReachM o'er the hills, and lengthen'd up the iky, 
 Show'd a clear fummit, rich with riling flowers, 
 That breathe their odours through ccleftial bowers ; 140 
 O'er proud Hifpanian fpires, it looks fuhiime, 
 Subjects the Alps and levels all the clime. 
 Led by the Power, Columbus gain'd the height, 
 A touch from heav'n fublim'd his mortal fight, 
 And, calm beneath them, flow'd the weftern main, 145 
 Far flretch'd, immenfe, a Iky-encircled plain ; 
 No fail, no ifle, no cloud invefts the bound, 
 Nor billowy furge difturbs th'unvaried round ; 
 Till, deep in diftant heav'ns, the fun's dim ray 
 ToppM unknown cliffs and call'd them up to day ; 150 
 Slow glimmering into fight wide regions drew, 
 And rofe and brighten'd on th'expanding view ; 
 Fair fweep the waves, the leffening ocean fmiles, 
 And breathes the fragrance of a thoufand ifles ; 
 Near and more near the long-drawn coafls arife, jr$ 
 Bays ftretch their arms and mountains lift the Ikies, 
 The lakes, unfolding, point the ftreams their way, 
 The plains, the hills, their fpreading fkirts difplay, 
 The vales draw forth, high walk th' approaching groves, 
 And all the majefty of nature moves. 160 
 
 O'er 
 
30 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 O'er the wild climes his eyes delighted rove, 
 Where lands extend and glittering waters move ; 
 He faw, through central realms, the winding fhore 
 Spread the deep Gulph, his fail had traced before, 
 The Darien ifthmus meet the raging tide, 1 65 
 
 Join diftant lands and neighboring feas divide, 
 On either fide the fhores unbounded bend, 
 Pufh wide their waves, and to the poles afcend ; 
 While two great continents united rife, 
 Broad as the main and lengthen'd with the fkies. jyo 
 
 Silent the Hero gaz'd ; when thus the Guide : 
 Here fpreads the world, thy daring fail defcry'd, 
 Ages unborn {hall blefs the happy day, 
 That faw thy. ft reamers fhape the tracklefs way, 
 While through the growing realms thy fons fhall tread, 175 
 And following millions trace the path you led. 
 Behold yon ifles, v/here tirft thy flag unfurFd, 
 Wav'd peaceful triumph o'er the weftern world, 
 Where, aw'd to filence, favage bands gave place, 
 And hail'd with joy the fun-defcended race !* 180 
 
 * The original inhabitants of Hifpaniola were worihippers 
 -of the fun. On the firft landing of the Europeans, they were 
 iiippofeji to be gods, and confequently defcended from the fun. 
 
 See 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 3 t 
 
 See there the banks that pureft waters lave, 
 Swift Oronoque rolls back the ocean's wave, 
 The well-known current cleaves the lofty coaft, 
 Where Paria's walks thy former footfteps boafl ! 
 Thefe fcanty fhorcs no more thy joys fhall bound, 185 
 
 See nobler profpets lead their fweliing round, 
 
 ' 
 Nature's fublimeft fcenes before thee roll, 
 
 And years and empires open on thy foul !. 
 
 High to yon feats exalt thy roving view, 
 Where Quito's lofty plains o'erlook Peru, 190 
 
 On whofe broad bafe, like clouds together driven, 
 A world exalted props the ikirts of heaven. 
 From fouth to north, what long blue fronts arife ! 
 Ridge over ridge, and loft in ambient {kies ! 
 Approaching near, they heave expanding bounds, 195 
 
 The yielding concave bends fublimer rounds, 
 Earth's loftieft towers there lift the daring height, 
 And all the Andes fill the bounded fight. 
 
 Round the low bafe what Hoping breaches bend ! 
 Hills form on hills, and trees o'er trees extend, * 200 
 
 Afcending, whitening, how the crags are loft ! 
 O'erwhelm'd with fummits of eternal froft ; 
 Broad fields of ice give back the morning ray, 
 Like walls of funs, or heav'n's perennial day. 
 
 There 
 
32, THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 There folding ftorms on eaflcrn pinions ride, 205 
 
 Veil the black heav'n, and wrap the mountain's ilcle, 
 The thunders rake the crags, the rains dcfcend, 
 And the long light'nings o'er the vallies bend, 
 While blrifts unburden'd fwcep the cliffs of (now, 
 The whirlwinds wheel above, the floods convolve below. 210 
 There molten rocks, explofive rend their tomb, 
 And dread volcanoes ope the nations' doom, 
 Wild o'er the regions pour the floods of fire, 
 The mores heave backward and the feas retire. 
 There {lumbering vengeance waits th' Almighty's call, 215 
 Long ages hence to make fome guilty wall ; 
 Thy pride, O Lima, fwells the fulph'rous wave, 
 And fanes, and priefts, and idols crowd thy grave. 
 
 But ceafe, my fon, thefe dread events to trace, 
 Nor learn the woes that wait thy kindred race. 22O 
 
 Beyond thofe glimmering hills, in lands unknown, 
 O'er the wide gulph, beyond the flaming zone,. 
 Thro' milder climes, fee gentler mountains jife, 
 Where yon dim regions bound the northern fkies. 
 Back from the fhorc afccnding champaigns run, 225 
 
 And lift their heights to hail die caftern fun, - 
 Through all the midland realm, to yon blue pole, 
 The green hills lengthen and the rivers roll. 
 
 So 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 33 
 
 So fpoke the bleft Immortal ; when, more near, 
 The northern climes in various pomp appear ; 230 
 
 Lands yet unknown, and ftreams without a name 
 Rife into vifion and demand their fame. 
 As when fome faint, in heav'n's fublime abode, 
 Extends his views o'er all th works of God ; 
 While earth, his kindred orb, before him rolls, 235 
 
 Here glows the centre, and there point the poles ; 
 O'er land and fea his eyes exalted rove, 
 And joys of mortals kindle heav'n with love ; 
 With equal glance the raptur'd Hero's fight 
 Rang'd the low vale, or climb'd the cloudy height, 240 
 As, led by heav Vs own hand, his ardent mind, 
 Explor'd the realms that here await mankind. 
 From fultry Mobile's rich Floridian (hore, 
 To where Ontario bids hoarfe Laurence roar, 
 Stretch'd o'er the plains and hills, in long array, 245 
 
 * The beauteous Alleganies met the day. 
 Round the clear mountain-tops and o'er the dreams, 
 The forefl azure ftreak'd the morning beams ; 
 Fair fpread the fcene, the Hero gaz'd fublime, 
 And thus in profpecl: hail'd the happy clime : 250 
 
 Bleft be the race, in future ages led, 
 Where thefe wide realms their various bounties fpread ! 
 
 C What 
 
34 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 What treafur'd itores the lofty hills combine ! 
 
 Sleep there ye diamonds, and ye ores refine, 
 
 Exalt your heads, ye oaks, ye pines, afcend, 255 
 
 Till future navies bid your branches bend, 
 
 Then fpread the canvafs o'er the watery way, 
 
 Explore new worlds and teach the old your fway. 
 
 He faid, and northward caft his wondering eyes, 
 Where other cliffs, in other climes, arife, 260 
 
 Where bleak Acadia fpreads the dangerous coaft, 
 And ifles and fhoals their latent horrors boaft, 
 High in the diftant heav'n, the hoary height 
 Heaves the glad failor an eternal light.* 
 Nor could thofe hills, unnotic'd, raife their head, 265 
 That look fublime o'er Hudfon's winding bed ; 
 Tho* no bold fiction rear them to the fkies, 
 Tho' neighb'ring fummits far fuperior rife ; 
 Yet the blue Kaatfkill, where the ftorms divide, 
 Would lift the heav'ns from Atlas' laVring pride. 270 
 
 Awhile the ridgy heights his notice claim, 
 And hills unnumber'd rofe without a name, 
 Which plac'd, in pomp, on any eaflern more, 
 Taurus would fhrink, the Alps be fung no more ; 
 
 * The White Hills of Nova Scotia, though fifty miles from 
 the fea, are the firft land to be difcovered in approaching that 
 part of North America, and ferve as a land mark for a confi- 
 derable length of coaft, of very difficult navigation. 
 
 For 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 35 
 
 For here great Nature, more exalted {how'd 275 
 
 The laft afcending footfteps of her God. 
 
 He favv thofe mountains ope their watery (lore, 
 Floods leave their caves, thro' hills difparting pour, 
 Cleave the wide plains and feek the diftant ftrand, 
 And lave their beauteous banks, where future towns 
 
 mufl ftand. 280 
 
 Firft, from the dreadful Andes' opening fide, 
 He faw Maranon * lead his fovereign tide. 
 A thoufand hills for him diflblve their fnow, 
 A thoufand {beams obedient bend below, 
 
 * This river, from different circumftances, has obtained fe- 
 veral different names. It has been called Amazon, from an idea 
 that fome part of the neighbouring country was inhabited by a 
 race of warlike women, refembling what Herodotus relates of 
 the Amazons of Scythia. It has been called Ordlana, from its 
 having been difcovered by a Spanifh officer of that name, who, 
 on a certain expedition, deferted from the younger Pizarro, on 
 one of the fources of this river, and navigated it from thence to 
 the ocean. Maranon is the original name given it by the natives 
 of the country ; which name I choofe to follpw. 
 
 If we eftimate its magnitude by the length of its courfe, and 
 the quantity of its water, it is much the greateft river that has 
 hitherto come to our knowledge. Its navigation is faid to be 
 uninterrupted for four thoufand miles from the fea, its breadth, 
 within the banks, is fixty geographical miles ; it receives in its 
 courfe a variety of great rivers, betides thofe defcribed in the 
 fucceeding paragraphs of the text. Many of thefe defcend from 
 elevated countries and mountains covered with fnow, the melt 
 ing of which annually fwells the Maranon above its banks j 
 when it overflows and fertilizes a vaft extent of territory. 
 
 C o> From 
 
36 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 From different climes their devious courfes wind, 285 
 
 Sweep beds of ore and leave their gold behind, 
 
 In headlong characters indignant heave, 
 
 Rum to his opening banks and iwell the fweeping wave. 
 
 Ucayla, chief of all his mighty fons, 
 From Cufco's heights a boundlefs journey runs ; 290 
 
 Yutay moves gently in a morter courfe, 
 And rapid Yatva pours a gathering force ; 
 Far in a wild, by namelefs tributes fed, 
 The filent Chavar wears a lonely bed ; 
 Aloft, where northern Quito fits on high, 295 
 
 The roaring Napo quits his mifty fky; 
 Down the long fleeps, in whitening torrents driven, 
 Like Nile defcending from his fabled heaven. 
 While other waves and lakes unknown to fame, 
 Difcharge their urns and fill the fwelling ftream, 300 
 
 That, far, from clime to clime, majeftic goes, 
 Enlarging, widening, deepening as it flows j 
 Approaching ocean hears the diftant roar, 
 Moves up its bed, nor finds th' expected more ; 
 His freshening waves, with high and hoary tide, 305 
 
 Whelm back the flood, and ifles and champaigns hide, 
 Till mingling waters lead the downward fweep, 
 And waves, and trees, and banks roll whirling to the deep. 
 
 Now, 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 37 
 
 Now, where the fun in milder glory beams, 
 Brazilia's hills pour down their fpreading ftreams, 310 
 
 The fmiling lakes their opening fides difplay, 
 And winding vales prolong the devious way ; 
 He faw Xaraya's * diamond hanks unfold, 
 And Paraguay's deep channel pav'd with gold, 
 Saw proud Potofi lift his glittering head, 315 
 
 Whence the clear Plata wears his tin&ur'd bed ; 
 Rich with the fpoils of many a diftant mine, 
 In one broad filver fea their floods combine ; 
 Wide o'er the realms its annual bounties fpread, 
 By nameiefs ftreams from various mountains fed ; 320 
 
 The thirfty regions wait its glad return, 
 And drink their future harvefts from its urn. 
 
 Round the cold climes, beneath the fouthern fky, 
 Thy path, Magellan, caught the Hero's eye ; 
 The long cleft ridges wall'd the fpreading way, 325 
 
 Fair gleaming westward to the placid fea. 
 
 * Some of the richefl diamond mines are found on the banks 
 of the lake Xaraya. The river Paraguay is remarkable for the 
 quantities of gold dull found in it's channel. The Rio de la 
 Plata, properly fo called, has its iburce in. the mountains of 
 Potofi; and it is probably from this circumftance, that it received 
 its name, which fignines the River of Silver. This river, after 
 being joined by the Paraguay, which is larger than itfelf, retains 
 its own name till it joins the fea. Near the mouth, it is ninety 
 %niles Vide ; but it is in other refpecls /ar inferior to the 
 Maranon. 
 
 C 3 Soon 
 
38 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Soon as the diftant wave was feen to roll, 
 
 His ancient wifhes * fill'd his rifmg foul, 
 
 Warm from his heaving heart an anxious figh 
 
 Breath'd o'er his lips ; he turn'd his moiften'd eye, 330 
 
 And thus befought the angel : Speak, my guide, 
 
 Where leads the pafs ? and whence yon purple tide ? 
 
 How the dim waves in blending ether ftray, 
 
 No lands behind them rife, no ftreamers in them play ! 
 
 In thofe low fkies extends the boundlefs main, 335 
 I fought fo long, and fought, alas, in vain % 
 Reftore, celeftial Power, my youthful morn, 
 Call back my years, and bid my fame return ; 
 Grant me to trace, beyond that pathlefs fea, 
 Some happier fhore from luft of empire free ; 340 
 
 In that far world to fix a peaceful bower, 
 From envy fafe, and curfl Ovando's power. 
 Earth's happieft realms, let not their diflance hide, 
 Nor feas for ever roll their ufelefs tide. 
 Bid unborn nations burft the womb of time, 345 
 
 And rife to birth in that indulgent clime ; 
 
 * The great object of Columbus in moft of his voyages was 
 to difcover a weftern paffage to India. For this purpofe he 
 navigated the gulph of Mexico, with great care, and was much 
 diiappointed in not finding a pafs into the South Sea. The view 
 he is here fuppofed to have of that ocean would therefpre na^ 
 turally recall his former defire of failing round the world. 
 
 And 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 39 
 
 And grant me ftill, this final talk to dare, 
 One vent'rous bark, and be ray life thy care. 
 
 The Hero fpoke ; the feraph mild replies, 
 While warm companion foften'd in his eyes : 350 
 
 Though ftill to virtuous deeds thy mind afpires, 
 And heav'nly vifions kindle new defires ; 
 Yet hear with reverence what attends thy ftate, 
 Nor wi(h to pafs th' eternal bounds of fate. 
 Led by this facred light thy foul fhall fee, 355 
 
 That half mankind fhall owe their blifs to thee, 
 And joyous empires claim their future birth, 
 In thefe fair bounds of fea-encircled earth ; 
 While unborn times, by thine example preft, 
 Shall call forth heroes to explore the reft. 360 
 
 Beyond thofe feas, the well-known climes arife, 
 Where morning fplendors gild the Indian {kies. 
 The circling courfe to Madagafcar's fhores, 
 Round Afric's cape, bold Gama now explores ; 
 Another pafs thefe opening ftraits provide, 365 
 
 Nor long fliall reft the daring fearch untry'd ; 
 This watery glade (hall open foon to fame, 
 Here a loft hero fix his lafting name,* 
 
 * The Straits of Magellan; fo called from having been dif- 
 covered by that navigator, who firft attempted to go round the 
 world, and loft his life in the attempt. 
 
 C 4 From 
 
40 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 From that new main in furious waves be toft, 
 
 And fail neglected on the barb'rous coaft. 370 
 
 But fee the chief from Albion's ftrand arife, 
 Speed in his pinions, fame before his eyes ! 
 Hither, O Drake, difplay the haftening fails, 
 Widen ye paffes, and awake ye gales, 
 Move thou before him, heav'n-revolving fun, 375 
 
 Wind his long courfe, and teach him where to run, 
 Earth's diftant fhores, in circling bands unite, 
 Lands, learn your fame, and oceans, roll in light, 
 Round all the beauteous globe his flag be hurl'd, 
 A new Columbus to th'aftoniih'd world ! 380 
 
 He fpoke; and filent tow'rd the northern Iky, 
 Wide o'er the realms the Hero caft his eye ; 
 Saw the long floods thro' devious channels pour, 
 And wind their currents to the opening fhore ; 
 While midland feas and lonely lakes difplay 385 
 
 Their glittering glories to the beams of day. 
 Thy capes, Virginia, towering from the tide, 
 Rais'd their blue banks, and ftretch'd their borders wide ; 
 To future fails unfold a circling way, 
 And guard the bofom of thy beauteous Bay. 3QQ 
 
 Where, from each diftant Alleganian height, 
 Thy fpreading ftreams lay glimmering to the light ; 
 
 York 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 41 
 
 York led his wave, imbank'd in flowery pride, 
 
 And nobler James fell winding by his fide ; 
 
 Back tow'rd the hills, through many a filent vale, * 395 
 
 Wild Rappahanock feem'd to lure the fail, 
 
 While, far o'er all, in fea-like azure fpread, 
 
 The great Potowmac fwept his lordly bed. 
 
 When thus he faw the mingling waters play, 
 And feas, in loft diforder, idly flray, 400 
 
 The frowning forefts ftretch the dufky wing, 
 And deadly damps forbid the fruits to fpring, 
 No feafons clothe the field with beauteous grain, 
 No buoyant fhip attempt the ufelefs main, 
 With fond impatience, heav'nly feer, he cry'd, 405 
 
 When fhall my children crofs the lonely tide ? 
 Here, here, my fons, the hand of culture bring, 
 Here teach the lawns to fmile, the groves to fmg ; 
 Ye facred floods, no longer vainly glide, 
 Ye harvefts, load them, and ye forefts, ride, 410 
 
 Bear the deep burden from the joyous fwain, 
 And tell the world where peace and plenty reign. 
 
 Now round the coaft, where other floods invite, 
 He fondly turn'd ; they fill'd his eager fight : 
 Here Del* ware's waves the yielding fhores divide, 415 
 
 And here majeftic Hudfon pours his tide ; 
 
 Thy 
 
4* THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Thy parent ftream, fair Hartford, met his eye, 
 
 Far leflening upward to the northern fky ; 
 
 No watery glades thro' richer valleys fhine, 
 
 Nor drinks the fea a lovelier wave than thine. 420 
 
 MyfHck and Charles adorn'd their bloomy ifles, 
 
 And gay Pi feat' way caught his paffing fmiles ; 
 
 Swift Kenebeck, defcending from on high, 
 
 Swept the tall hills and lengthen'd down the fky ; 
 
 When hoarfe refounding through the gaping (hore, 425 
 
 He heard cold Laurence' dreadful furges roar. 
 
 Tho' foftening May had wak'd the vernal blade, 
 
 And happier climes her fragrant garb difplay'd, 
 
 Yet howling winter, in this bleak Domain, 
 
 Shook the wide wafle, and held his gloomy reign ; 430 
 
 Still groans the flood, in frozen fetters bound, 
 
 And ifles of ice his angry front furround ; 
 
 Cloth'd in white majefty, the foaming main 
 
 Leads up the tide and tempts the wintery chain, 
 
 Billows on billows lift the maddening brine, 435 
 
 And feas and clouds in battling conflict join, 
 
 The dafli'd wave ftruggling heaves in fwelling fweep, 
 
 Wide crafli the portals of the frozen deep ; 
 
 Till, forc'd aloft, high-bounding in the air, 
 
 Moves the blear ice and fheds a hideous glare, 440 
 
 The 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 43 
 
 The torn foundations on the furface ride, 
 And wrecks of winter load the downward tide. 
 
 Now where the lakes, thofe midland oceans lie, 
 Columbus turn'd his heav'n-illumin'd eye. 
 Ontario's banks, unfolding on the north, 445 
 
 With fweep majeflic, pour'd his Laurence forth ; 
 Above, bold Erie's wave fublimely flood, 
 Look'd o'er the cliff* and heav'd his headlong flood ; 
 Far circling in the north, great Huron fpread, 
 And Michigan o'erwhelm'd a weflerji bed ; 450 
 
 While, flretch'd in circling majefly away, 
 The deep Superior clos'd the fetting day. 
 Wide opening round them, lands delightful fpread, 
 Deep groves innumerous cart a folemn (hade ; 
 Slow mov'd the fettling mift in lurid firearms, 455 
 
 And dufky radiance brown'd the folar beams ; 
 O'er all the fcene the great difcoverer flood, 
 And thus addrefs'd the mefTenger of good : 
 But why thefe feats, that feem referv'd to grace 
 The virtuous toils of fome illuflrious race, 460 
 
 Why fpread fo wide, and form'd fo fair in vain ? 
 And why fo diflant rolls th'unconfcious main ? 
 Thefe defert fountains muft for ever refl, 
 Of man unfeen, by native beafls pofTeft. 
 * The falls of Niagara. 
 
44 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 For, fee ! no fhip can point the canvafs here, 465 
 
 No ftream condu&s, nor ocean wanders near, 
 
 Eternal winter clothes the fhelvy fhores, 
 
 Where yon far northern * fon of Neptune roars ; 
 
 Or mould bold barks his frozen entrance brave, 
 
 And climes. by culture warm his lefTening wave, 470 
 
 Yon frightful Catara6l exhalts the brow, 
 
 And frowns defiance to the world below. 
 
 To whom the Seraph. Here extended lies 
 The happieft realm that feels the foftering fkies ; 
 Led by this arm thy fons fhall hither come, 475 
 
 And flreams obedient yield the heroes room ; 
 Nor think no pafs can find the diftant main, 
 Or heav'n's laft polifh touch'd thefe climes in vain. 
 See the bold MnTifippi bend his way 
 Thro' all the weftern boundiefs traces of day ; 480 
 
 From lonely lakes behold his current led, 
 And filent waves adorn his infant head ; 
 Far fouth thro' happy regions fee him wind, 
 By gathering floods and nobler fountains join'd, 
 Yon opening gulph receive the beauteous wave, 485 
 
 And thy known ifles his frenVning current lave. 
 To his broad bed their tributary {lores, 
 Akanfa here, and there Miffouri pours, 
 * St. Laurence. 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 45 
 
 Rouge, from the weftern wild, his channel fills, 
 
 Ohio, gather'd from a thoufand hills, 490 
 
 The Black, the Yazoes fed by Georgian fprings, 
 
 And Illinois his northern tribute brings ; 
 
 There lies the path thy future fons ihall trace, 
 
 And fpread o'er thefe wide realms the glory of thy race. 
 
 So taught the Saint. The regions nearer drew, 495 
 And other objects claim'd the Hero's view. 
 Retiring far round Hudfon's frozen bay, 
 Where lefTening circles fhrink beyond the day, 
 The (hivering fhrubs fcarce brave the difinal clime, 
 Snows ever-rifing with the years of time ; 500 
 
 The beafts all whitening roam the lifelefs plain, 
 And caves un frequent fdoop the couch for man. 
 
 Where fpring's coy fteps, in Cold Canadia, itray, 
 And joylefs feafqns hold unequal fway, 
 He faw the pine its daring mantle rear, 505 
 
 Break the rude blaft and mock th'inclement year, 
 Secure the limits of the angry fkies, 
 And bid all fouthern vegetation rife. 
 Wild o'er the vaft impenetrable round, 
 The untrod bow'rs of madowy nature frown'd ; 510 
 
 The neighb'ring cedar wav'd its honours wide, 
 The fir's tall boughs, the oak's refiftlefs pride, 
 
 The 
 
46 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 The branching beech, the afpen's trembling ihade, 
 
 Veil'd the dim heavens and brown'd the dulky glade. 
 
 Here in huge crouds thofe flurdy fons of earth, 515 
 
 In frofty regions, claim a nobler birth ; 
 
 Where heavy trunks the fhelt'ring dome requires, 
 
 And copious fuel feeds the wint'ry fires. 
 
 While warmer funs that fouthern climes emblaze, 
 
 A cool deep umbrage o'er the woodland raife ; 520 
 
 Floridia's {hores their blooms around him fpread, 
 
 And Georgian hills ere& their fliady head. 
 
 Beneath tall trees, in livelier verdure gay, 
 
 Long level walks a humble garb difplay ; 
 
 The infant maize unconfcious of its worth, 525 
 
 Points the green fpire and bends the foliage forth ; 
 
 Sweeten'd on flowery banks, the paffing air 
 
 Breathes all th'untafted fragrance of the year ; 
 
 Unbidden harvefls o'er the regions rife, 
 
 And blooming life repays the genial fkies. 530 
 
 Where circling {hores around the gulph extend,, 
 
 The bounteous groves with richer burdens bend ; 
 
 Spontaneous fruits th'uplifted palms unfold, 
 
 The beauteous orange waves a load of gold, 
 
 The untaught vine, the wildly-wanton cane 3$ 
 
 Bloom on the wafte, and clothe th'enarbour'd plain ; 
 
 The 
 
BOOK THE FIRST. 47 
 
 The rich pimento fcents the neighbouring Ikies, 
 
 And woolly clutters o'er the cotton rife. 
 
 Here, in one view, the fame glad branches bring 
 
 The fruits of autumn and the flowers of fpring ; 540 
 
 No wint'ry blafts th'unchanging year deform, 
 
 Nor beafls unfhelter'd fear the pinching florm ; 
 
 But vernal breezes o'er the bloffoms rove, 
 
 And breathe the ripen'd juices thro' the grove. 
 
 Beneath the cryflal wave's inconftant light, ' 
 
 Pearl's undiftinguim'd fparkle on the fight ; 
 
 From opening earth, in living luftre, fhine 
 
 The various treafures of the blazing mine ; 
 
 Hills, cleft before him, all their ftores unfold, 
 
 The quick mercurius and the burning gold ; 
 
 While gems of various hues, in bright array, 
 
 Illume the changing rocks and {hed the beams of day. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 ' 
 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 D 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 Natives of America appear in vifion. 'Their manners 
 and characters. Columbus enquires the caufe of the 
 dijfimilarity of nations. The Angel replies That the 
 human body is compofed of a due proportion of the 
 elements fuited to the place of its firjl creation that 
 theje elements, differently proportioned, produce all the 
 changes of health, Jickncfi, growth, and decay ; and 
 will hkcwife produce any other changes which occa- 
 Jion the diverfity of men that thefe elemental pro 
 portions are varied, not more by climate, than tem 
 per ature t and many other local accidents that the 
 mind is likewife in a Jlate of change, and will take 
 its phyfical charafler from the body and from external 
 objcfls : examples. Rnquiry and anjwcr concerning 
 the firjl peopling of America. View of Mexico. Its 
 dejlruclion by Cortez. View of Cufco and ^uito y 
 cities of Peru. Tradition of Capac and Oella, 
 founders of the Peruvian empire. Columbus enquires 
 into their real hijlory. The angel gives an account of 
 their origin, and relates the Jlratagtms they ufed in 
 ejlallifimg that 
 
5? 
 
 THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 IGH o'er the fcene, as thus Columbus gaz'd, 
 7V indulgent Power his arm fublimely rais'd ; 
 When round the realms fuperior luftre flew, 
 And cail'd new wonders to the Hero's view. 
 
 He faw, at once, as far as eye could rove, 5 
 
 Like fcattering herds, the fwarthy people move, 
 In tribes innumerable ; all the wafte, 
 Beneath their fleps, a varying fliadow caft. 
 As' airy fhapes, beneath the moon's pale eye, 
 When broken clouds fail o'er the curtain'd fky, 10 
 
 Spread thro' the grove and flit along the glade, 
 And caft their griily phantoms through the fhade ; 
 So move the hordes, in thickets half conceal'd, 
 Or vagrant (talking o'er the open field. 
 Here ever-reftlefs tribes, defpifmg home, if 
 
 O'er fhadowy ftreams and tracklefs deferts roam ; 
 While others there, thro' downs and hamlets ftray, 
 And rifing domes a happier ftate difplay, 
 
 D 3 The 
 
52 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 The painted chiefs, in death's grim terrors dreft, 
 Rife fierce to w r ar, and beat the favage breaft ; 20 
 
 Dark round their fteps collecting warriors pour, 
 And dire revenge begins the hideous roar ; 
 While to the realms around the fignal flies, 
 And tribes on tribes, in dread diforder, rife, 
 Track the mute foe and fcour the diftant wood, 25 
 
 Wide as a itorm, and dreadful as a flood ; 
 Or deep in groves the filent ambufh lay, 
 Or wing the flight or fweep the prize away, 
 XJnconfcious babes and reverend fires devour, 
 Drink the warm blood, and paint their cheeks with gore. 30 
 
 Awhile he gaz'd, with dubious thoughts opprefs'd, 
 And thus his wavering voice the Power addrefs'd : 
 Say, to what clafs of nature's fons belong 
 The countlefs tribes of this untutor'd throng ? 
 Where human frames and brutal fouls combine, 35 
 
 No force can tame them, and no arts refine. 
 Can thefe be faihion'd on the focial plan, 
 Or boaft a lineage with the race of man ? 
 In yon fair ifle, * when firft my wandering view 
 Rang'd the glad coaft and met the favage crew ; 40 
 
 * The ifland of Hifpaniola ; where Columbus planted a 
 colony in his firft voyage. See the- Introduction, 
 
 A 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 53 
 
 A timorous herd, like harmlefs roes, they ran, 
 And call'd us gods, from whom their tribes began. 
 But when, their fears allay 'd, in us they trace 
 
 The well-known image of a mortal race ; 
 
 When Spanifh blood their wondering eyes beheld, 45 
 
 Returning rage their changing bofoms fwell'd i 
 
 They rous'd their bands from numerous hills afar, 
 
 To feafh their fouls on ruin, wafle and war. 
 
 Nor plighted vows, nor fure defeat, controul 
 
 The fame indignant favagenefs of foul. 50 
 
 Tell then, my Seer, from what dire fons of earth 
 The brutal people drew their ancient birth ? 
 Whether in realms, the wcflern heav'ns that clofc, 
 A tribe diitincl: from Other nations rofe, 
 Born to fubjetion ; when, in happier time, 5 
 
 A nobler race fhould hail their fruitful clime. 
 Or, if a common fource all nations claim, 
 Their lineage, form, and reas'ning powers the fame, 
 What fovereign caufe, in fecret wifdom laid, 
 This wond'rous change in God's own work has made ? 60 
 Why various powers of foul and tints of face 
 In different climes ; diverfify the race ? 
 
 To whom the Guide : Unnumber'd caufes lie 
 Jn earth, and fea, and round, the varying Iky, 
 
 D-3 That 
 
54 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 That fire the foul, or damp the genial flame, 65 
 
 And work their wonders on the human frame. 
 
 See beauty, form, and colour change with place 
 
 Here charms of health the blooming vifage grace ; 
 
 There pale difeafes float in every wind, 
 
 Deform the figure, and degrade the mind. 70 
 
 From earth's own elements, thy race at firft 
 Rofe into life, the children of the duft ; 
 Thefe kindred elements, by various ufe, 
 Nourifh the growth and every change produce ; 
 In each afcending ftage the man fufbin, 75 
 
 His breath, his food, his phyfic, and his bane. 
 In due proportions, where thefe virtues lie, 
 A perfect form their equal aids fupply ; 
 And, while unchanged th'efficient caufes reign, 
 Age folFwing age th'unvaried race maintain. 80 
 
 But where crude elements diftemperM rife, 
 And cafl their fick'ning vapours round the fkies, 
 Unlike that harmony of human frame, 
 Where God's firft works and Nature's were the fame, 
 TV unconfcious tribes, attemp'ring to the clime, 85 
 
 Still vary downward with the years of time ; 
 Till fix'd, at laft, their characters abide, 
 And local likenefs feeds their local pride. 
 
 The 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 55 
 
 The foul too, varying with the changing clime, 
 
 Feeble or fierce, or groveling or fublime, go 
 
 Forms with the body to a kindred plan, 
 
 And lives the fame, a nation or a man. 
 
 Yet think not clime alone the tint controuls, 
 On every fhore, by altitude of poles ; 
 A different cafl the glowing zone demands, 95 
 
 In Paria's blooms,* from Tombut's burning fands. 
 Internal caufes ? thro' the earth and fkies, 
 Blow in the breeze or on the mountain rife, 
 Thro' air and ocean, with their changes run, 
 Breathe from the ground, or circle with the fun. 100 
 
 Where thefe long fliores their, boundlefs regions fr>read x 
 See the fame form all different tribes pervade ; 
 Thro' all alike the fertile forefts bloom, 
 And all, uncuhur'd, fhed a folemn gloom ; 
 Thro* all great nature's boldeft features rife, 105 
 
 Sink into vales and tower amid the ikies ; 
 Streams, darkly winding, ftretch a broader fway, 
 The groves and mountains bolder walks, difplay ; 
 A dread fublimity informs the whole, 
 And wakes a dread fublimity of foul. HO 
 
 4 * Paria is a country ne^r the river Oronoque ; the only part 
 of the continent of. America that Columbus had feen. Tombut, 
 in the feme, latitude, is the moft fteril part of Africa. 
 
56 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS; 
 
 Yet time and art fhall other changes find, 
 And open flill and vary dill the mind. 
 The countlefs fwarms that tread thefe dank abodes, 
 Who glean fpontaneous fruits and range the woods, 
 Fix'd here for ages, in their fwarthy face 115 
 
 Difplay the wild complexion of the place. 
 Yet when their tribes to happy nations rife, 
 And earth by culture warms * the genial fkies, 
 
 * Without entering into any difcuffion on the theory of heat 
 and cold, the author, in vindication of the expreffion in the 
 text, would juft obferve, that fome folid mafs of matter, fuch 
 for inftance as the furface of the earth, feems abfolutely necelTary 
 to the production of heat. At leaft it muft be a matter more 
 compact than that of the fun's rays ; and perhaps its power of 
 producing heat is in proportion to its folidity. That the warmth 
 communicated to the atmofphere is generated by the combined 
 caufes of the earth and the fun, he is not difpofed to deny ; but 
 he thinks the agency of the former much more powerful in this 
 operation than that of the latter, and its prefence more indif- 
 penfible ; as mafles of matter will produce heat by friction, with 
 out the aid of the fun ; but no experiment has yet proved that 
 the rays of the fun are capable of producing heat, without the 
 aid of earthy matter. The air is temperate inthofe cavities of the 
 earth where the fun is the moft effectually excluded ; whereas, 
 the coldeft regions of which we have any knowledge are the 
 tops of the Andes ; where the fun's rays have the moft dire6t 
 operation, being the moft verticle and the leaft obftructed by 
 vapours. Thofe regions are too far removed from the broad 
 furface of the earth, which is requifite to warm the furrounding 
 atmofphere by its co-operation with the action of the fun. 
 
 From thefe principles we may conclude that cultivation tends 
 to warm the atmofphere and meliorate the climate of a cold 
 country; as by removing the forefts and the marines, the folid 
 earth is open to the fun, and acts upon the air. 
 
 According to the defcriptions given of the middle parts of 
 
 Europe 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 57 
 
 A fairer tint and more majeftic grace 
 
 Shall flum their features and exalt the race ; 120 
 
 While milder arts, with foci al joys refin'd, 
 
 Infpire new beauties in the growing mind. 
 
 Thy followers too, fair Europe's nobleft pride, 
 When future gales mall wing them o'er the tide, 
 A ruddier hue * and deeper fliade fhnll gain, 1 25 
 
 And ftalk, in ftatelier figures, o'er the plain. 
 While nature's grandeur lifts the eye abroad 
 O'er thefe dread footfleps of the forming God, 
 Wing'd on a wider glance the vent'rous foul 
 Bids greater powers and bolder thoughts unroll ; 130 
 
 The fage, the chief, the patriot, unconfin'd, 
 Shield the weak world and meliorate mankind. 
 
 But think not thou, in all the range of man, 
 That different pairs, in different climes, began ; 
 Or tribes diftint, by fignal marks confeft, 135 
 
 Were born to ferve or fubjugate the reft. 
 
 Europe by Csefai* and Tacitus, it appears that thofe countries 
 were much colder in the days of thofe writers, than at prefent ; 
 cultivation has already foftened the climate to a great degree. 
 The fame effect begins to be perceived in North America, and 
 will doubtlefs one day be as apparent as the prefent difference in 
 the temperature of the two continents. 
 
 * The complexion of the inhabitants of North America, who 
 are defcended from the Englilli and Dutch, is evidently darker, 
 and their flature taller, than thefe of the Englim and Dutch in 
 Euiope 
 
58 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 The Hero heard, and thus refum'd the ftrain : 
 , Who led thefe wand'rers o'er the dreary main ? 
 Could their weak fires, unfkill'd in human lore, 
 Build the bold bark, to feek an unknown fhore ; 140 
 
 A Ihore fo diflant from the world befide, 
 So dark the tempefts, and fo wild the tide, 
 That Greece and Tyre, and all who tempt the fea, 
 Have fliunn'd the tafk, and left the fame to me ? 
 
 When firft thy roving race, the Power reply 'd, 145 
 Learn'd by the ftars the devious fail to guide, 
 From ftormy Hellefpont explored the way, 
 And fought the bound'ries of the Midland fea ; 
 Ere great Alcides form'd the impious plan 
 To check the fail, and bound the fteps of man, 150 
 Driv'n from the Calpian flraits, a haplefs train 
 Rbll'd on the waves that fweep the weftern main ; 
 While eaftern ftorms the buTwing fkies o'erfhade, 
 Nor fun nor ftars afford their wonted aid. 
 For many a darkfome day, o'erwhelm'd and toft, 155 
 Their fails, their oars in fwaliVing furges loft ; 
 At length, the clouds withdrawn, they fad defcry 
 Their courfe directing from their native iky ; 
 No hope remains ; while, o'er the flaming zone,. 
 The wind ftill bears them with the circling fun ; 160 
 
 Till 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 59 
 
 Till the wild walks of this delightful coaft 
 Receive to lonely feats the fufFering holt. 
 The fruitful plains invite their fteps to roam, 
 Renounce their forrows, and forget their home ; 
 Revolving years their ccafelefs wand'rings led, 1 65 
 
 And from their fons defcending nations fpread. 
 
 Thefe round the fouth and middle region ftray, 
 Where cultur'd fields their growing arts difplay ; 
 While northern tribes a later fource demand, 
 A race defcended from the Afian flrand. 170 
 
 Now tow'rd the diftant pole thy view extend ; 
 See ifles and fhores and feas Pacific blend ; 
 That peopled coafl, where Amur's current glides, 
 From thy own world a narrow frith divides ; 
 There Tartar hofts, for numerous years, have fail'd, 175 
 And changing tribes thefe fruitful regions hail'd. 
 
 He look'd : the north-weft fhores beneath him fpread, 
 And moving nations on the margin tread. 
 As, when autumnal florins awake their force, 
 The ftorks foreboding tempt their fouthern courfe ; 180 
 From all the fields colle&ing throngs arife, 
 Mount on the wing and crowd along the fkies ; 
 Thus, to his eye, from far Siberia's fhore, 
 Thro' ifles and feas, the gathering people pour ; 
 
 Front 
 
60 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 From thofe cold regions hail a happier ftrand, 1 85 
 
 Leap from the wave and tread the welcome land ; 
 The growing tribes extend their fouthern fway, 
 And widely wander to a milder day. 
 
 But why the Chief replied if ages paft 
 Have led thefe vagrants oVr the wilder'd waile 1 90 
 
 If human fouls, for focial compact given, 
 Inform their nature with the {tamp of heaven, 
 Why the dread glooms for ever muft they rove, 
 And no mild joys their temper'd paffions move ? 
 Ages remote and dark thou bring' ft to light, 19^ 
 
 When the firft leaders dar'd the weftern flight. 
 On other fhores, in every eaftern clime, 
 Since that unletter'd, diftant tra6l of time, 
 What arts have fhone ! what empires found their place ! 
 What golden fceptres fway'd the human race ! 2OO 
 
 W 7 hat guilt and grandeur from their feats been hurl'd, 
 And dire divulfions fhook the changing world ! 
 Ere Rome's bold Eagle clave th'afFrighted air, 
 Ere Sparta form'd her death-like fons of waj, 
 Ere proud Chaldea law her towers arife, 205 
 
 Or Memphian columns heav'd againil; the ikies ; 
 Thefe tribes have ftray'd beneath the fruitful '^onc, 
 Their fouls unpoiifh'd, and their name unknown. 
 
 The 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 6r 
 
 The voice of heav'n reply M : A fcanty train, 
 In that far age, approached the wide domain ; 210 
 
 Where fertile groves, with game and fruitage crown'd, 
 Supply'd their wifhes from th'unculturM ground. 
 By nature form'd to rove, the reftlefs mind, 
 Of freedom fond, will ramble unconfin'd, 
 Till all the realm is fill'd, and rival right 215 
 
 Reftrains their fteps, and bids their force unite ; 
 When common fafety builds a common caufe, 
 Conforms their interefts and infpires their laws ; 
 By mutual checks their different manners blend, 
 Their fields bloom joyous, and their walls afcend. 220 
 
 Here, to their growing hofts, no bounds arofe, 
 They claim'd no fafeguard, as they fear'd no foes ; 
 Round all the land their fcatt'ring fons muft ftray, 
 Ere civil arts could claim a fettled fway. 
 And what a world their mazy wand'rings led ! 225 
 
 What ftreams and wilds in boundlefs order fpread ! 
 See the mores lengthen, fee the rivers roll, 
 To each far main and each extended pole ! 
 
 Yet circling years the deftin'd cooirfe have run, 
 The realms are peopled and their arts begun. 239 
 
 Behold, where that mid region flrikes the eyes, 
 A few fair cities glitter to the ikies ; 
 
 There 
 
6* THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 There move, in eaftern pomp, the toils cf (late, 
 And temples heave, magnificently great. 
 
 The Hero look'd ; when from the varying height, 235 
 Three growing fplendors, rifmg on the fight, 
 Flam'd like a conflcllation : high in view, 
 Afcending near, their opening glories drew ; 
 In equal pomp, beneath their roofs of gold, 
 Three fpiry towns, in blazing pride, unfold. 240 
 
 So, led by vifions of the guiding God, 
 The facred Seer* in Patmos' wafte who trod, 
 Saw the dim vault of heav'n its folds unbend, 
 And gates and fpires and flreets and domes defcend ; 
 With golden ikies, and funs and rainbows crown'd, 245 
 The new-form'd city lights the world around. 
 
 Fair on the north, bright Mexico arofe, 
 A mimic morn her fparkling towers difclofe, 
 An ample range the opening ftreets difplay. 
 Give back the fun, and fhed internal day ; 2 50 
 
 The circling wall with fky-built turrets frown'd, 
 And look'd defiance to the realms around ; 
 A glimmering lake, without the walls retires, 
 Inverts the trembling towers, and feems a grove of fpires. 
 
 Bright, o'er the midft, on columns lifted high, 255 
 
 A rifmg ftru&ure claims a loftier fky ; 
 
 * St. John's vifion of rhe new Jerufalem. Rev. ch. xxi. 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 63 
 
 O'er the tall gates fublimer arches bend, 
 
 Courts larger lengthen, bolder walks afcend, 
 
 Starr'd with fuperior gems the porches {tune, 
 
 And fpeak the royal refidence within. 260 
 
 There, rob'd in (late, high on a golden throne, 
 Mid fuppliant kings, dread Montezuma fhone : 
 Mild in his eye a temper'd grandeur fate, 
 Great feem'd his foul, with confcious power elate ; 
 In afpect open, focial and ferene, 265 
 
 Enclos'd with fav'rites and of friends unfeen. 
 
 Round the rich throne, with various iuflre bright, 
 Gems undiftinguiih'd cad a changing light ; 
 Sapphires and em'ralds deck the fplendent fcene, 
 Sky-tinctures mingling with the vernal green ; 270 
 
 The ruby's blufh, the amber's flames unfold, 
 And diamonds brighten from the burning gold ; 
 Through all the doom the living blazes blend, 
 And caft their rainbows where the arches bend. 
 Wide round the walls, with mimic action gay, 275 
 
 In order rang'd, hiftoric figures ftray, 
 And fliow, in Memphian ftyle,* with rival grace, 
 The boafted feats of all their regal race. 
 
 * The Mexicans had the art of recording their hiftory in 
 hieroglyphics ; and had carried this art to a degree of per- 
 ft&ton nearly equal to that of the ancient Egyptians. 
 
 Thro' 
 
64 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Thro' the full gates, and round each ample ftreet, 
 
 Unnumber'd throngs, in various concourfe meet, 280 
 
 Ply different toils, new walls and flru&ures rear, 
 
 Or till the fields, or train the ranks of war. 
 
 Thro' fpreading realms the fkirts of empire bend, 
 
 New temples rife and other plains extend ; 
 
 Thrice ten wide provinces, in culture gay, 285 
 
 Blefs the fame monarch and enlarge his fway. 
 
 A fmile benignant kindling in his eyes, 
 Oh happy clime ! the glad Columbus cries, 
 Far in the midland, fafe from foreign foes, 
 Thy joys fhall ripen as thy grandeur grows, 290 
 
 To endlefs years thy rifing fame extend, 
 And fires of nations from thy fons defcend. 
 May no gold-thirfty race thy temples tread, 
 Nor ftain thy flreams, nor heap thy plains with dead ; 
 No Bovadiila feize the tempting fpoil, 295 
 
 Ovando dark, or facrilegious Boyle,* 
 
 * Bovadiila and Ovando are mentioned in the Introduction 
 as the enemies and fuccelfors of Columbus in the government 
 of Hifpaniola. They began that fyftem of cruelty towards the 
 natives which, in a few years, almoft depopulated that ifland, 
 and was afterwards purfued by Cortez, Pizarro and others, in 
 all the firft fettlements in Spanifh America. 
 
 Boyle was a fanatical prieft who accompanied Ovando, and 
 under pretence of chriflianizing the natives by the fword, gave 
 a fandlion to the moil {hocking and extenfive fcenes of (laughter. 
 
 In 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 65 
 
 In mimic priefthood grave, or rob'd in fhte, 
 Overwhelm thy glories in oblivious fate ! - 
 
 Vain are thy fondeil hopes, the Power reply'd, 
 Thefe rich abodes from rav'ning hofts to hide, 300 
 
 To teach hard guilt and cruelty to fpare 
 The guardlefs prize, and check the wafle of war. 
 Think not the vulture, o'er the field of -(lain, 
 Where bafe and brave promifcuous flrow the plain, 
 Where the young hero, in the pride of charms, 305 
 
 Pours deeper crimfon o'er his fpotlefs arms, 
 Will pafs the tempting prey, and glut his rage 
 On harder flefh, and carnage black with age ; 
 O'er all alike he darts his eager eye, 
 
 Whets the dire beak and hovers down the fky, 310 
 
 From countlefs corfes picks the dainty food, 
 And fcreams and fattens in the pureft blood. 
 So the vile hofts, that trace thy daring way, 
 On happieft tribes with fiercer!: fury prey. 
 Thine the dread tafk, O Cortez, here to fhow 31$ 
 
 What unknown crimes can heighten human woe, 
 On thefe fair fields the blood of realms to pour, 
 Tread fceptres down, and print thy fteps in gore, 
 With gold and carnage fwell thy fatelefs mind, 
 And live and die the blacked of rftankind. 3 2O 
 
 E He 
 
66 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 He gains the fhore. Behold his fortrefs rife, 
 
 The fleet in flames * afcends the darken'd ikies. 
 
 The march begins ; the nations, from afar, 
 
 Quake in his fight, and wage the fruitlefs war ; 
 
 O'er the rich provinces he bends his way, 325 
 
 Kings in his chain, and kingdoms for his prey ; 
 
 While, rob'd in peace, great Montezuma ftands, 
 
 And crowns and treafufes fparkle in his hands, 
 
 Proffers the empire, yields the fceptred fway, 
 
 Bids vaffalPd millions tremble and obey ; 330 
 
 And plies trie vidlor, with incefiant prayer, 
 
 Thro' ravag'd realms the harnilefs race to fpare. 
 
 But prayers, and tears, and iceplres plead in vain, 
 
 Nor threats can move him, nor a world reftrain ; 
 
 While bleft religion's proftitiited name, 335 
 
 And monkiih fury guides the facred flame : 
 
 O'er fanes and .altars, fires unhallow'd bend, 
 
 Climb the wide -walls, and up the towers afcend, 
 
 * The conduct of Cortez, when he firft landed on the coaft 
 of Mexico, was as remarkable for that hardy fpirit of adventure, 
 to which fuccefs gives the name of policy, as his fubfequent 
 operations were for cruelty and perfidy. As foon as his army 
 was on fhore, he difmantled his fleet of fuch articles as would be 
 neceifary in building a new one; he then fet fire to all his fhips, 
 and burnt them in prefence of his men ; that they might fight 
 their battles with more defperate courage, knowing that it would 
 be impoffible to fave theaafelves from a victorious enemy by 
 flight. He conftru'fted a fmall fort on the fhore, in which the 
 iron and the rigging were preferred. 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 67 
 
 Pour, round the lowering ikies, the finoky flood, 
 
 And whelm the fields, and quench their rage in blood. 340 
 
 The Hero heard ; and, with a heaving figh, 
 Dropp'd the full tear that ftarted in his eye : 
 Oh haplefs day ! his trembling voice reply'd, 
 That faw my wand'ring ftreamer mount the tide ! 
 Oh ! had the lamp of heav'n, to that bold fail, 345 
 
 Ne'er mark'd the paffage nor awak'd the gale, 
 Taught eaftern worlds thefe beauteous climes to find, 
 Nor led thofe tygers forth to curfe mankind. 
 Then had the tribes beneath thefe bounteous ikies, 
 Seen their walls widen and their fpires arife ; 350 
 
 Down the long tracts of time their glory fhone, 
 Broad as the day and lafting as the fun : 
 The growing realms, beneath thy mield that reft, 
 O haplefs monarch, ftill thy power had bleft, 
 Enjoy'd the pleafures that furround thy throne, 355 
 
 Survey'd thy virtues and fablim'd their own. 
 Forgive me, prince ; this impious arm hath led 
 The unfeen ftorm that blackens o'er thy head ; 
 Taught the dark fons of flaughter where to roam, 
 To feize thy crown and feal thy nation's doom. 360 
 
 Arm, fleeping empire, meet the daring band, 
 
 Drive back th'invaders, fave the finking land 
 
 Ea Yet 
 
68 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Yet vain the ftrife ! behold the breaming blood ! 
 Forgive me, Nature, and forgive me, God. 
 Thus, from his heart, while fpeaking forrows roll, 365 
 The Power, reproving, footh'd his tender foul: - 
 Father of this new world, thy tears give o'er, 
 Let virtue grieve and heav'n be blam'd no more. 
 Enough for man, with perfevering mind, 
 To act his part and ftrive to blefs his kind ; 370^ 
 
 Enough for thee, o'er thy dark age to foar, 
 And raife to light that long-fecluded fhore. 
 For this my guardian care thy youth infpir'd, 
 To virtue rais'd thee, and with glory fir'd, 
 Bade in thy plan each diftant world unite, 37 
 
 And wing'd thy veflel for the vent'rous flight. 
 Nor think no bleflings fliall thy toils attend, 
 Or thefe fell tyrants can defeat their end. 
 Such impious deeds, in heav'n's all-ruling plan, 
 Lead in difguife the folid blifs of man. 380 
 
 Long have thy race, to narrow fhores confin'd, 
 Trod the fame round that cramp'd the roving mind ; 
 Now, borne on bolder wings, with happier flight, 
 The world's broad bounds unfolding to the fight, 
 The mind {hall foar ; the nations catch the flame, 385 
 Enlarge their treaties and extend their fame; 
 
 And 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 6$ 
 
 And buried gold, drawn bounteous from the mine, 
 Give wings to commerce and the world refine. 
 
 Now to yon fouthern walls extend thy view, 
 And mark the rival feats of rich Peru. 390 
 
 There Quito's airy plains, exalted high, 
 With loftier temples rife along the fky ; 
 And elder Cufco's richer roofs unfold, 
 Flame on the day, and fhed their funs of gold. 
 Another range, in thefe delightful climes, 395 
 
 Spreads a broad theatre for unborn crimes. 
 Another Cortez fhall the treafures view, 
 The rage rekindle and the guilt renew ; 
 His treafon, fraud, and every dire decree, 
 O curfl Pizarro, fhall revive in thee. x 400 
 
 There reigns a prince, whofe hand the fceptre claims, 
 Thro' a long lineage of imperial names : 
 Where the brave roll of following Incas trace 
 The diftant father of their realm and race, 
 Immortal Capac. He, in youthful pride, 405 
 
 With young Oella, his illuftrious bride, 
 In virtuous guile, proclaim'd their birth begun, 
 From the pure fplendors of their God, the fun ; 
 By him cfommiflion'd o'er thefe realms around, 
 A polifh'd flate on peaceful laws to found, 416 
 
 E 3 To 
 
70 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 To crufh the gods that human victims claim, 
 And point all worfhip to a nobler name, 
 With cheerful rites, the due devotions pay 
 To the bright beam, that gives the changing day. 
 
 On this great plan, the children, of the Ikies 415 
 
 Bade, in the wild, a growing empire rife ; 
 Beneath their hand, and facred to their fame, 
 Arofe yon walls, that meet the folar flame. 
 Succeeding fovereigns fpread their bounds afar, 
 Enlarged their leagues, and footh'd the rage of war; 420 
 Till thefe furrounding realms the fceptre own, 
 
 And pay their homage to the facred fun. 
 
 Behold, o'er yon wide lake their temple rife, 
 
 Seat of the fun and pillar of the fkies. 
 
 The roofs of burnifli'd gold, the blazing fpires 425 
 
 Light the glad heav'ns and lofe their upward fires ; 
 
 Fix'd in the flaming front, with living ray, 
 
 A diamond circlet gives the rival day ; 
 
 In whofe bright face for ever looks abroad 
 
 The radiant image of the beaming God. 430 
 
 Round the wide courts, and in the folemn dome, 
 
 A white-rob'd train of holy virgins bloom ; 
 
 Whofe pious hands the facred rites require, 
 
 To grace the offerings, and preferve the fire. 
 
 On 
 
VTVAV t*J A L4V'^. AC4 V Clh' s^O tO CtllV ill AlUlWl. tVO.* JLJ.H 
 
 habitations, no ideas of permanent property ; 
 naked like the beads, and, like them, depeiidec 
 
 BOOK THE SECOND. 71 
 
 On this bleft ille, with flowery garlands crown 'd, 435 
 That ancient Pair, in charms of youth, were found, 
 Whofe union'd fouls the myiHc code defign'd, 
 To blefs the nations * and reform mankind. 
 
 * From the traditions of Capac and Oella, mentioned by the 
 Spanifh hiftorians, they appear to have been very great and 
 diftinguimed characters. About three centuries previous to the 
 difcovery of that country by the Spaniards, the natives of Peru 
 were as rude favaees as any in America. They had no fixed 
 
 they wandered 
 on the events 
 
 of each day for a precarious fubfiftence. At this period, Manco 
 Capac, and his wife Mama Oella, appeared on a fmall ifland in 
 the lake Titiaca ; near which the city of Cufco was afterwards 
 erected. Thefe perfons, in order to eftablifn a belief of their 
 divinity in the minds of the people, were clothed in white gar 
 ments of cotton ; and declared themfelves defcended from the 
 fun, who was their father and the god of that country. They 
 affirmed, that he was offended at their cruel and perpe:u Iwars, 
 their barbarous modes of worfhip, and their neglecting to make 
 the beft life of the bleffings he was conftantly beftowing, in fer 
 tilizing the earth and producing vegetation ; that he pitied their 
 wretched ftate, and had fent his own children to inftruct them, 
 and to eftablilli a number of wife regulations, by which they 
 might be rendered happy. 
 
 By fome extraordinary method of perfuafion, thefe perfons 
 drew together a number of the favagc tribes, laid the founda 
 tions of the city of Cufro, and eftabliflied what was called the 
 kingdom of the Sun, or the Peruvian empire. In the reign of 
 Manco Capac, the dominion was extended about eight leagues 
 from the city; and at the end of three centuries, it was eftabiifli 
 ed fifteen hundred miles on the coalt of the Pacific ocean ; and 
 from that ocean to the mountains of the Andes. During this 
 period, through a fucceiiion of twelve monarchs, the original 
 conititution, eitablifhed by the firft Inca, remained unaltered ; ; 
 and was at laft overturned by an accident, which no human 
 wifdom could forefee or prevent. 
 
 For a more particular difquifkion on the character an.^ihlH- 
 tutions of this great legislator, the reader is referred' tra diflerta- 
 tion prefixed to the third book. 
 
 Mama 
 
?2 THE. VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 The Hero heard, and thus the Power befought : - 
 Declare what arts the wonderous bleHings wrought ; 440 
 What human fkill, in that benighted age, 
 Jn favage fouls, could quell the barb'rous ra^e ? 
 With leagues of peace combine a wide domain ? 
 And teach the Virtues in their laws to reign ? 
 
 Long is their ftory, faid the Power divine, " 445 
 
 Their labours great, and glorious the defign ; 
 
 Mama Oella is faid to have invented many of the domeftic 
 arts, particularly that of making garments of cotJLon and other 
 vegetable fubftances. 
 
 In the pailage preceding this reference, I have alluded to mofl 
 of the traditions, relating to the manner of their introducing 
 themfelves, and eftabliming their dominion. In the remainder 
 of the fecond, and through the whole of the third book, I have 
 given what may be fuppofed a probable narrative of their real 
 origin and conduct. I have thrown the epifode into an epic 
 form, and given it fo confiderable a place in the poem, for the 
 purpofe of exhibiting in afiion the characters, manners, and fen- 
 timents of the different tribes of favages, that inhabit the moan- 
 tains of South America. 
 
 In reviewing this part of my fubject, I have to lament, that fo 
 extraordinary and meritorious a poem, as the Araucana of Don 
 Alonfo de Ercilla, of the fixteenth century, has never yet ap 
 peared in our language. The account given of that work by 
 Voltaire, excited my curioiity at an early day ; as I conceived 
 the manners and characters of the mountain favages of Chili, as 
 defcribed by that heroic Spaniard, muft have opened a new field 
 of poetry, rich with uncommon ornaments. 
 
 That elegant and concife (ketch of it, lately given to the public 
 by Mr. HayJey, has come into my hands, fince I have been 
 writing thefe notes, and preparing this poem forthe prefs : yet 
 it gives me reafon to hope, with every friend of literature, that 
 the whole of that great work will ere long be prefented to the 
 Engliih reader by the fame hand. 
 
 And 
 
BOOJC THE SECOND. 73 
 
 And tho', to earthly minds, their actions reft, 
 
 By years obfcur'd, in flowery fiction dreft, 
 
 Yet my glad voice ihall wake their honour'd name, 
 
 And give their virtues to immortal fame. 450 
 
 Led by his father's wars, in early prime, 
 Young Capac wander'd from a northern clime ; 
 Along thefe fhores, with richer blooms array'd, 
 Thro' fertile vales the vent'rous armies flray'd. 
 He faw the tribes unnumber'd range the plain, 455 
 
 And rival chiefs, by rage and flaughter, reign ; 
 He faw the fires their dreadful gods adore, 
 Their altars ftaining with their children's gore ; 
 Yet mark'd their reverence for the fun, whofe beam 
 Proclaims his bounties and his power fupreme ; 460 
 
 Who fails in happier fkies, difFufing good, 
 Demands no victim, and receives no blood. 
 
 In peace return'd with his victorious fire, 
 Fair glory's charms his youthful foul infpire, 
 To conquer nations on a nobler plan, 465 
 
 And build his greatnefs on the blifs of man. 
 
 By nature form'd to daring deeds of fame, 
 Tall, bold and beauteous rofe his {lately frame , 
 Strong mov'd his limbs, a mild majeftic grace 
 Beam'd from his eyes and open'd in his face ; 470 
 
 O'er 
 
74. THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 O'er the dark world his mind fuperior {hone, 
 
 And foaring, feem'd the femblance of the fun. 
 
 Now fame's prophetic vifions lift his eyes, 
 
 And future empires from his labours rife ; 
 
 Yet fofter fires his daring views controul, 475 
 
 Sway the warm wifh and fill his changing foul. 
 
 Shall the bright genius, kindled from above, 
 
 Bend to the milder, gentler voice of love, 
 
 That bounds his glories, and forbids to part, 
 
 From that calm bower, that held his plighted heart? 480 
 
 Or fhall the toils, imperial heroes claim, 
 
 Fire his bold bofom with a patriot flame, 
 
 Bid fceptres wait him on Peruvia's fhore, 
 And bleft Oella meet his eyes no more ? 
 
 Retiring penfive, near the wonted fhade, 485 
 
 His unfeen fleps approach the beauteous maid. 
 Her raven-locks roll on her heaving breaft, 
 And wave luxuriant round her flender waift, 
 Gay wreaths of flowers her lovely brows adorn, 
 And her white raiment mocks the pride of morn. 490 
 Her bufy hand fuftains a bending bough, 
 Where cotton clufters fpread their robes of fnow, 
 From opening pods unbinds the fleecy flore, 
 Ands culls her labours for the evening bower. 
 
 For 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 7$ 
 
 For flie before, by deep invention led, 495 
 
 Had found the fkill to turn the twitting thread, 
 To fpread the woof, the fhuttle to command, 
 Till various garments grac'd her forming hand. 
 Here, while her thoughts with her own Capac rove, 
 O'er former fcenes of innocence and love, 500 
 
 Through many a field his fancied dangers {hare, 
 And wait him glorious from the diflant war ; 
 Bleft with the ardent wifh, her fprightly mind 
 A fnowy veiture for the prince defign'd ; 
 She feeks the pureft wool, to web the fleece, ^o 
 
 The facred emblem of returning peace. 
 Sudden his near approach her breaft alarms ; 
 He flew enraptur'd to her yielding arms, 
 And loft, diflblving in a fofter flame, 
 
 The diftant empire and the fire of fame. 510 
 
 At length, retiring o'er the homeward field, 
 Their mutual minds to happy converfe yield, 
 (3'er various fcenes of blifsful life they ran, 
 When thus the warrior to the maid began : 
 
 Joy of my life, thou know'il my roving mind, 515 
 With thefe grim tribes, in dark abodes, confin'd, 
 With grief hath mark'd what vengeful paffions fway 
 The bickering bands, and fweep the race away. 
 
 Where 
 
76 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Where late my diftant fteps the war purfu'd, 
 
 The fertile plains grew boundlefs as I view'd ; 520 
 
 Increafing nations trod the waving wild, 
 
 And joyous nature more delightful fmil'd. 
 
 No changing feafons there the flowers deform, 
 
 No dread volcano, and no mountain ftorm ; 
 
 Rains ne'er invade, nor livid lightnings play, 525 
 
 Nor clouds ohfcure the radiant power of day. 
 
 But, while the God, in ceafelefs glory bright, 
 
 Rolls o'er the day, and fires his ftars by night, 
 
 Unbounded fulnefs flows beneath his reign, 
 
 Seas yield their treafures, fruits adorn the plain ; 530 
 
 Warm'd by his beam, their mountains pour the flood,. 
 
 And the cool breezes wake beneath the God. 
 
 My anxious thoughts indulge the great defign, 
 
 To form thofe nations to a fway divine ; 
 
 Deftroy the rites of every dreadful power, 535 
 
 Whofe crimfon altars glow with human gore ; 
 
 To laws and mildnefs teach the realms to yield, 
 
 And richer fruits to grace the cultur'd field. 
 
 But great, my charmer, is the talk of fame, 
 The countlefs tribes to temper and to tame, 540 
 
 Full many a fpacious wild my foul muft fee, 
 Spread dreary bounds between my joys and me ; 
 
 And 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 77 
 
 And yon bright Godhead circle many a year, 
 
 Each lonely evening number'd with a tear. 
 
 Long robes of white * my fhouiders muft embrace, 545 
 
 To fpeak my lineage of etherial race ; 
 
 That wondering tribes may honour and obey 
 
 The radiant offspring of the Power of day. 
 
 And when thro' cultur'd fields their bowers increafe, 
 And ftreams and plains furvey the works of peace, 550 
 When thefe glad hands the rod of nations claim, 
 And happy millions blefs thy Capac's name, 
 Then mall he feign a journey to the fun, 
 To bring the partner of the peaceful throne ; 
 So fhall defcending kings the line fuftain, 555 
 
 And unborn ages bloom beneath their reign. 
 
 Will then my Fair, in that delightful hour, 
 Forfake thefe wilds and hail a happier bower ? 
 And now confenting, with approving fmiles, 
 Bid the young warrior tempt the daring toils ? 560 
 
 And, fweetly patient, wait the flight of days, 
 
 \ 
 
 That crown our labours with immortal praife ? 
 
 * As the art of fpinning is faid to have been invented by 
 Oella, it is no improbable fi&ion, to fuppofe they firft aflumed 
 thefe white garments of cotton, as an emblem of the fun, in 
 order to infpire that reverence for their perfons which was ne- 
 eeflary to their fuccefs. Such a drefs may likewife be fuppofed 
 to have been continued in the family, as a badge of royalty. 
 
 Silent 
 
7 8 THE VIS-ION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Silent the damfel heard j her moiflening eye 
 Spoke the full foul, nor could her voice reply ; 
 Till fofter accents footh'd her anxious ear, 565 
 
 Compos'd her tumult and allay'd her fear : 
 
 Think not, enchanting maid, my ileps would part, 
 
 While filent forrows heave that tender heart : 
 
 Delia's peace more dear fhall prove to me 
 
 Than all the realms that bound the raging fea ; 570 
 
 Nor thou, bright Sun, mould'ft bribe my foul to reft, 
 
 And leave one ftruggie in her lovely bread. 
 
 Yet think in thofe vaft climes, my gentle Fair, 
 
 What haplefs millions claim our guardian care ; 
 
 How age to age leads on their piteous gloom, 575 
 
 And rage and flaughter croud th'untimely tomb; 
 
 No focial ties their wayward pallions prove, 
 
 Nor peace nor pleafure treads the favage grove ; 
 
 Mid thoufand heroes and a thoufand Fair, 
 
 No fond Oella meets her Capac there. 580 
 
 Yet, taught by thee domeftic joys to prize, 
 
 With fofter charms the virgin, race mall rife, 
 
 Awake new virtues, every grace improve, 
 
 And form their minds for happinefs and love. 
 
 Behold, where future years, in pomp, defcerul, 585 
 
 How worlds and ages on thy voice depend ! 
 
 And, 
 
BOOK THE SECOND. 
 
 79 
 
 And, like the Sun, whofe all-delighting ray 
 
 O'er thofe mild borders fheds ferenefc day, 
 
 DifFafe thy bounties, give my fteps to rove, 
 
 A few mort months the noble taik to prove, 
 
 And, fwift return'd from glorious toils, declare 
 
 What realms fubmiffive wait our foflering care. 
 And will my prince, my Capac, borne away, 
 
 Thro' thofe dark wilds, in queft of empire, flray ? 
 
 "Where tygers fierce command the howling wood, 
 
 And men like tygers thirft for human blood. 
 
 Think'il thou no dangerous deed the courfe attends ? 
 
 Alone, unaided by thy fire and friends ? 
 
 Ev'n chains and death may meet my rover there, 
 
 Nor his laft groan could reach (Delia's ear. 600 
 
 jBut chains, nor death, nor groans mall Capac prove, 
 Unknown to her, while (he has power to rove. 
 Clofe by thy fide where'er thy wand'rings flray, 
 My equal fleps (hall meafure all^he way ; 
 With borrowed foul each dire event I'll dare, 605 
 
 Thy toils to leffen, and thy dangers {hare. 
 Command, bleft chief, fince virtue bids thee go 
 To rule the realms and banHh human woe, 
 Command thefe hands two fnowy robes tq weave, 
 The fun to mimic, and the tribes deceive; 610 
 
 Then 
 
8o THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Then let us range, and fpread the peaceful fway, 
 "The radiant children of the power of day. 
 
 The lovely counfel pleas'd. The fmiling chief 
 Approv'd her courage and difpell'd her grief; 
 Then to the diftant bower in hafte they move, 615 
 
 Begin their labours and prepare to rove. 
 Soon grow the robes beneath her forming care, 
 And the fond parents wed the princely pair; 
 But, whelm'd in grief, beheld th' approaching dawn, 
 Their joys all vanifh'd, and their children gone. 620 
 
 Nine days they ftray'd ; the tenth effulgent morn 
 Beheld the^fteps that blifsful iile adorn. 
 The toil begins ; to every neighbouring band 
 They fpeak the mefTage and their faith demand; 
 With various art fuperior powers difplay, 625 
 
 To prove their lineage and confirm their fway. 
 Th'aflonim'd tribes believe with glad furprife, 
 The gods defcended from the fav'ring flues ; 
 Adore their perfons, rob'd in filming white, 
 Receive their laws, and leave each horrid rite ; 630 
 
 Build, with aflifting toil, the golden throne, 
 And hail and blefs the fceptrc of the Sun. 
 
 A DIS- 
 
D I S S E R'.T A T I O N 
 
 O.JS..Y H E 
 GENIUS AND INSTITUTIONS 
 
 O F 
 
 MANGO C A P A C. 
 
 .LTHOUGH the original inhabitants of America in 
 general defer ve to be clafled among the mod unimproved 
 favages that have ever* been difcovered ; yet the Mexican 
 and Peruvian governments exhibit remarkable inftances of 
 order and regularity. In the difference of national character 
 between the people of thefe two empires we may difcern the 
 influence of political fyftems oia the human mind, and infer 
 the importance of the tafk which a legiflator undertakes, in 
 attempting to reduce a barbarous people under the controul 
 of government and laws. The Mexican conftitution was 
 formed to render its fubjecls brave and powerful ; but, while it 
 fucceeded in this objecl:, it tended to remove them farther 
 from the real .bleffings of fociety, than they were while in 
 the rudefl (late of nature. The hiftory of the world affords 
 no inftance of men whofe manners were equally ferocious, and 
 whofe fuperftition was more bloody and unrelenting. On the 
 
 F contrary, 
 
82 A DISSERTATION ON THE 
 
 contrary, the eftablimments of Manco Capac carry the marki 
 of a moil; benevolent and pacific fyftem ; they tended to hu 
 manize the world, and render his people happy ; while his 
 ideas of the Deity were fo perfect, as to hear a comparifon 
 with the enlightened doctrines of Socrates or Plato. 
 
 The moft diftinguimed characters in hiftory, who have 
 been confidered as legiflators among barbarous nations, are 
 Mofes, Lycurgus, Solon, Numa, Mahomet, and Peter of 
 Ruflia. Of thefe, only the two former and the two latter 
 appear really to deferve that character. Solon and Numa 
 pofleffed not the means nor the opportunity of Shewing their 
 talents in the bufmefs of original legiflation. Athens and 
 Rome were considerably advanced in civilization, before 
 thefe perfons arofe. The moffc they could do was to correct 
 and amend conftitutions already formed. Solon, in particular, 
 may be confidered as a wife politician ; but by no means as 
 the founder of a nation. The Athenians were too far ad 
 vanced in fociety to admit any radical alteration in their form 
 of government ; unlefs recourfe could have been had to 
 the reprefentative fyftem, by eftablifhing a perfect equality of 
 rank, and instructing all the people in iheir duties and their 
 rights ; a fyftem which was never underftood by any ancient 
 legislator. The inftitutions of Numa were more effective 
 and durable ; his religious ceremonies were, for many ages, 
 the moft powerful check upon the licentious and turbulent 
 Romans, the greater part of whom were ignorant Slaves. 
 By inculcating a remarkable reverence for the gods, and 
 making it neceSTary to confult the aufpices, when any thing 
 important was; to be tranfadted, he rendered the popular fu- 
 
 perftition 
 
GENIUS, &c. OF MANCO CAPAC. 83 
 ^erftition fubfervient to the views of policy , and gave the 
 fenate a fteady check upon the extravagance of the plebeians. 
 But the conftitutions of Rome and Athens, however the 
 fubject of fo much injudicious applaufe, were never fixed 
 upon any permanent principles ; though the wifdorn of 
 fome of their rulers, and the fpirit of liberty that infpired 
 the people, juftly demand our admiration. 
 
 EACH of the other legiflators above-mentioned deferves 
 a particular confideration, as having acted in ftations fome- 
 what fimilar to that of the Peru vain lawgiver. Three ob 
 jects are to be attended to by the legiflator of a barbarous 
 people. FirJ}, That his fyftem be fuch as is capable of re* 
 ducing the greateft number of men under one jurifdiction. 
 Secondly, That it apply to fuch principles in human nature 
 for its fupport, as are univerfal and permanent, in order to 
 enfure the duration of the government. ^Thirdly, That it 
 admit of improvements correfpondent to any advancement 
 in knowledge or variation of circumftances that may happen 
 to its fubje&s, without endangering the principle of govern 
 ment by fuch innovations. So far, thereforej as the fyftems 
 of thofe legiflators agree with thefe fundamental principles, 
 they are worthy of refpect ; and fo far as they deviate^ they 
 may be confidered as defective and imperfect. 
 
 To begin with Mofes and Lycurgus, It is neceflary in 
 the firft place to obferve, that, in order tojudge of the merit 
 of any inftitutions, we muft take into view the peculiar cha 
 racter of the people for whom they were framed. For want 
 of this attention, many of the laws of IJvIofes have been 
 
 F 2 ridiculed, 
 
$4 A DISSERTATION ON THE 
 
 ridiculed, and many eilablifhments of Lycurgus have been 
 centered. The Jews, who were led by Mofes out of Egypt, 
 were not only uncivilized, but, having juft rifen to in 
 dependence from a ftate of fervitude, they united'the man 
 ners of fervants and of favages ; and their national character is 
 a compoiition of fervility and contumacy, ignorance, fu- 
 perftition, fikliinefs, and cruelty. Of their cruelty as a 
 people, we need no other proof than the account of their 
 avengers of blood, and the readinefs with which the whole 
 c cngregatlon turned executioners and floned to deatli the 
 devoted offenders. The leprofy, a difeafe now wholly un 
 known, was undoubtedly produced by their total want of 
 cleaniinefs, continued for fucceffivc generations. In this 
 view the frequent ablutions, the peculiar modes of trial, 
 and many other institutions, may be vindicated from 
 ridicule, and proved to be not only wife, but even neceffary 
 regulations. 
 
 THE Spartan lawgiver has been equally centered for the 
 toleration of theft and adultery. Among that race of bar 
 barians, thefe crimes' were too general to admit of total pre 
 vention or univerfal pu.nimment. By veiling all property 
 in the community, inftead of encouraging theft, he r-> 
 movcd the poflibiiitv of the crime ; and, in a nation where 
 licenticufnefs was generally indulged, it was a great ftep 
 towards introducing a purity of manners, to punifh adultery 
 in all cafes, wherein the crime was not committed by the 
 free confent of all parties injured or interefled. 
 
 UNTIL the inftitution of reprefentative republics, which 
 
 V 
 
 are 
 
GENIUS, &C..QF MANGO CAPAC. 85 
 
 are of recent date, it was always a facl confirmed by ex 
 perience., that thofe conilitutions of government were bed: 
 calculated for immediate energy and duration, which were 
 interwoven with fome religious fyfiem. The legiflator, who 
 appears in the character of an inlpired perfon, renders his 
 political inftitutions facred, and interefls the confcicnce, as 
 well as the judgment, in their fupport. The Jewifh lav/ 
 giver had this advantage over the Spartan : he appeared not 
 in the character of a mere earthly governor, but as art in 
 terpreter of the divine will. By enjoining a religious obfer- 
 var.ce of certain rites, he formed his people to habitual obe 
 dience ; by directing their cruelty againft the breakers of 
 the laws, he at leaft mitigated the rancour of private ha 
 tred ; by forbidding nfury, and directing that real property 
 fhoulcl return to the original families in the year of Jubilee, 
 he prevented too great an inequality of property ; and by. 
 felecting a particular tribe, to be the guardians and inter 
 preters of religion, he prevented its myfterics from being 
 the fubjecr. of profane and vulgar inveftigation. To fecure 
 the permanency of his inftitutions, he prohibited any inter- 
 cpurfe with foreigners, by fevere reftrictions ; and formed 
 his people to habits and a character difagreeable to other na 
 tions ; by which means any foreign intercqurfe waf prevent 
 ed, from the mutual hatred of both parties. 
 
 To thefe inftitutions the laws of Lycnrgus bear a moft 
 flriking refemblance. The features of his conftitution were 
 fevere and forbidding ; it was, however, calculated to in- 
 fpire the moft enthufiaftic love of liberty and martial 
 honour. In no country was the patriotic paflion more 
 
 F 3 energetic 
 
86 A DISSERTATION ON THE 
 
 energetic than in Sparta ; no laws ever excluded the idea of 
 feparate property in an equal degree, or infpired a more 
 thorough contempt for the manners of other nations. The 
 utter prohibition of money, commerce, and almoft' every 
 thing defirable to effeminate nations, entirely excluded 
 foreigners from Sparta and, while it infpired the people 
 with contempt for others, it made them agreeable to each 
 ether. By thefe means, Lycurgus rendered the nation 
 powerful and warlike ; and, to infure the duration of his 
 government, he endeavoured to interefl the confciences of 
 his people by the aid of oracles, and by the oath he is faid 
 have exacted from them, to obey his laws till his return ; 
 when he went into a voluntary and perpetual exile, 
 
 FROM this view of the Jewim and Spartan inflitutions, 
 applied to the principles before dated, they appear, in the 
 two fiifb articles, confiderably imperfect, and in the lafl, 
 totally defective. Neither of them was calculated to bring 
 any confiderable territory or number of men under one 
 jurifdiction ; from this circumftance alone, they could not 
 be rendered permanent, as they muft be conftantly expofed 
 to their more powerful neighbours. But the third object 
 of legiflation, that of providing for the future progrefs of 
 fociety, which, as it regards the happinefs of mankind, is 
 the mofl important of the three, was, in both inftances, 
 entirely neglected. Thefe fyftems appear to have been 
 formed with an exprefs defign to prevent all future im 
 provement in knowledge, or enlargement of the human 
 nind ; and to fix thofe nations for ever in a ftate of igno 
 rance, fuperfUtion andbarbarifm. To vindicate their authors 
 
 fron> 
 
GENIUS, &c. OF MANCO CAPAC. 87 
 from an imputation of weaknefs or inattention in this par 
 ticular, it may be urged that they were each of them fur- 
 rounded by nations more powerful than their own ; it was 
 therefore impoflible for them to commence an eftablifh- 
 ment upon any other plan. 
 
 THE inftitutions of Mahomet are next to be confidered. 
 The nrft objet of legislation appears- to have been better 
 underflood by the Arabian prophet, than by either of the 
 preceding fages ; his jurifdictlon was capable of being en- , 
 larged to any extent of territory, and governing any number 
 of nations that might be fubjugatcd by his powerful and 
 enthufiaftic armies ; and to obtain this object, his fyftem of 
 religion was admirably calculated. Like Mofes, he con 
 vinced his people that he a&ed as the vicegerent of heaven ; 
 but with this capital advantage, adapting his religion to the 
 natural feelings and prcpenfities of mankind, he multiplied 
 his followers, by the allurements of pleafure, and the pro- 
 mife of a fenfual paradile. Thefe circumftances were like- 
 wife fure to render his conftitution permanent. His re 
 ligious fyftem was fo eafy to be understood, fo iplendid and 
 fo inviting, there could be no danger that the people would 
 lofe fight of its principles, and no neceflity of future 
 prophets, to explain the doctrines, or reform the nation. 
 To thefe advantages, if we add the exadl and rigid military 
 difcipline, the fplendor and facrednefs of the monarch, and 
 that total ignorance of the people, which fuch a fyilem 
 will produce and perpetuate, the eflablimment mud be 
 evidently calculated for a confiderablc extent and duration. 
 But the lafi and moft important end of government, that 
 F4 of 
 
 m 
 
88 A DISSERTATION ON THE 
 
 of mental improvement and focial happinefs, was deplorably 
 loft in the infHtution. And there was probably more 
 learning and cultivated genius in Arabia, in the days of 
 this extraordinary character, than can now be found in all 
 the Turkifh dominions. 
 
 ON the contrary, the enterprifmg mind of the Ruffian 
 monarch appears to have been wholly bent on the arts of 
 civilization, and the improvement of fociety among his 
 fubjects. Happy in a legal title to a throne, which already 
 commanded a prodigious extent of country, he found that 
 the firft object of government was already fecured ; and by 
 applying himfelf with great fagacity and perfeverance to the 
 third object, he was fure that the fecond would be a necef- 
 fary and invariable confequence. He effected his purpofes, 
 important* as they were, merely by the introduction of the 
 arts, and the encouragement of politer manners. Thegreat- 
 nefs of his character appears not fo much in his inftitutions, 
 which he copied from other nations, as in the extraordinary 
 meafures he followed to introduce them, the judgment he 
 Showed in felecting and adapting them to the genius of his 
 iubjects, and his furprifmg affiduity and fuccefs, by which 
 he raifed a favage people to a dignified rank among European 
 nations. All his plans were formed to encourage the future 
 progrefs of fociety ; and their duration was enfured by theif 
 obvious value and importance. 
 
 To the nature and operation of the feveral forms of 
 government above-mentioned, we will compare that of the 
 Peruvian lawgiver. It is probable that the favages of Peru 
 
 before 
 
GENIUS, &c. OF MANGO CAPAC. 89 
 before the time of Capac, among other objects of adoration, 
 paid homage to the fun. By availing himfelf of this popular 
 fentiment, he appeared, like Mofes and Mahomet, in the 
 character of a divine legiilator, endowed with fupernatural 
 powers. After impreffing thefe ideas ftrongly on the minds 
 of the people, drawing together a number of the tribes, and 
 rendering them fubfervient to his benevolent purpofes, he 
 applied himfelf to forming the outlines of a plan of policy, 
 capable of founding and regulating an extenfive empire, 
 wifely calculated for perpetual duration, and exprefsly de- 
 figned to improve the knowledge, peace, and happinefs of 
 a confiderable portion of mankind. In the apportionment 
 of the lands, and the alignment of real property, he in 
 vented a mode fomewhat refembiing the feudal fyftem of 
 Europe : yet this fyftem was wifely checked in its opera 
 tion, by a law ilmilar to that of Mofes, which regulated 
 landed poffeiTions in the year of Jubilee. He divided the 
 lands into three parts ; the fail was confecrated to the ufes 
 of religion ; the fecond fet apart for thelnca and his family, 
 to enable him to defray the expences of government, and 
 to appear in the ftyle of a monarch ; the third, and much 
 the largeft portion, was allotted to the people ; and this 
 allotment was repeated every year, and varied according to 
 to the number and exigencies of each family. 
 
 As the Incan race appeared in the character of divinities, 
 it was neceflary that a fubordi nation of ranks ihould be 
 eftablifhed, in order to render the diftincYion between die 
 monarch and his people more, perceptible. With this view 
 
 he 
 
90 A DISSERTATION ON THE 
 
 he created a band of nobles, who were diftinguifhed by per- 
 fonal and hereditary honours. Thefe were united to the 
 monarch by the flrongeft ties of intereft ; in peace they 
 acted as judges, and fuperintended the police of the empire ; 
 in war they commanded in the armies. The next order 
 of men were the refpedtable peafantry of the country, who 
 compofed the principal ftrength of the nation. Below thefe 
 was a clafs of men who were the fervants of the public, 
 who cultivated the public lands. They poffefied no pro 
 perty, and their only fecurity depended on their regular 
 induftry and peaceable demeanour. Above all thefe orders 
 were the Inca and his family. He was pofferTed of abfolute 
 and uncontroulable power ; his mandates were regarded as 
 the word of Heaven, and the double guilt of impiety and 
 rebellion attended on difobedience. To irnprefs the utmoft 
 veneration for the Incan family, it was a fundamental 
 principle, that the royal blood fhould never be contaminated 
 by any foreign alliance. The myfteries of religion were 
 preferved facred by the high-prieft of the royal family, 
 under the controul of the king ; and celebrated with 
 rites, capable of making the deepeft impreflion on the 
 multitude. The annual distribution of the lands, while it 
 provided for the varying circumftances of each family, 
 flrengthened the bands of fociety, hy preventing the dif 
 ferent orders from interfering with each other; the peafants 
 could not vie with their fuperiors, and the nobles could not 
 be fubjecled by misfortune to a fubordinate ibtion. A con- 
 ftant habit of induftry was inculcated upon all ranks by the 
 furprifing force of example and emulation. The cultivation 
 
 of 
 
GENIUS, &c. OF MANGO CAPAC. 91 
 
 of the foil, which in moft other countries is confidered as 
 one of the loweft employments, was here regarded as a divine 
 art. Having had no knowledge of it before, and heing 
 taught it by the children of their God, the people viewed it 
 as a facred privilege, and confidered it as an honour, to 
 imitate and aflift the fun in opening the bofom of the earth 
 and producing vegetation. That the government might be 
 able to exercife the endearing acts of benevolence, the 
 produce of the public lands was referved in magazines, to 
 fupply the wants of the unfortunjtte, as a depofit for the 
 people in times of general fcarcity, and as a refource in cafe 
 of an invafion. 
 i 
 
 THESE are the outlines of a government, the moft fimple 
 and energetic conceivable, and capable of reducing the 
 greateft number of men under one jurifdiclion ; at the fame 
 time, accommodating its principle of aclion to every ftate 
 of focietyy and every ftage of improvement, by a fmgular 
 and happy application to the pafiions of the human mind, 
 it encouraged the advancement of knowledge, without being 
 endangered by fuccefs. That, fuch a government has a fair 
 chance for duration is evident from this consideration, that 
 a band of nobles are ever the firm fupporters of regal autho 
 rity ; unlefs the monarch is fo limited in his power that the 
 nobles defpife his influence. This could not be the cafe in 
 Peru ; the nobles were juftly proud of their elevated fbtion, 
 though they could have no ambition to controul the Inca. 
 They were fenfible that their intereft was connected with 
 that of the monarch ; and, fuppofing the influence of re 
 ligion to be out of the queftion, they would not attempt to 
 
 deflroy 
 
92 A DISSERTATION ON THE 
 
 deftroy an inflitution on which their happinefs depended. 
 A check equally effective was, by the conilitution of hu 
 man nature, impofed on the Inca. Elevated above the 
 competition and rivalfhip which corrode and torment the 
 bofoms of the great, he could have no ambition to gratify, 
 and 'no motive to induce him to an improper exercife of 
 arbitrary power. 
 
 IN the traits of character which diflinguim this inftitu- 
 tion, we may difcern all the great ftrokes of each of the 
 legiflators above-mentMied. ' The pretentious of Capac 
 to divine authority were as artfully contrived, and as ef 
 fectual in their conferences, as thofe of Mahomet; his 
 exploding the worfhip of evil beings and objects of terror, 
 forbidding human facrinces, inculcating more rational ideas 
 of the Deity, and accommodating the rites of worfhip to a 
 God of julrice and benevolence, produced a greater change 
 in the national character of his people, than any of the laws 
 of Mofes : like Peter, he provided for the future improve 
 ment of fociety, while his actions were never meafured 
 upon the fmall and contracted fcale, which limited the 
 genius of Lycurgus. 
 
 THUS far we fincj the political fyfiem of Capac at leaffc 
 equal to thofe of the moft celebrated ancient or modern 
 lawgivers. But in one particular his character is placed 
 beyond all comparifon ; I mean for his religious inftitutions, 
 and the rational ideas he had formed of tiie nature and at 
 tributes of the Deitv. 
 
 AKD 
 
GENIUS, &c. OF MANGO CAPAC. 93 
 AND here I (hall premife, that idolatrous nations have 
 never been guilty of thofe glaring ahfurdities with which 
 they are ufaaily charged hy the Chriftian world, The 
 Perfiaixor Peruvian, when he directed his adoration to the 
 Sun, confidered it as the place of refidence for the unknown 
 Deity, whom he worshipped, and who communicated from 
 thence th bleffings of light, warmth, and vegetation ; the 
 Greek, who bowed at the ftatue of Jupiter, fuppofed it 
 animated with the prefence of his God ; the Egyptian Apis, 
 Ifis, and Orus, the calf, the leek, and the onion, though 
 the theme of univerfol ridicule to other nations, were, in 
 their firfl confecration, like the Jewifli cherubim, fymboli- 
 cal reprefentations of the nature and attributes of their 
 deities. No man ever erected a flock or a Hone for a real 
 object of worfliip ; but all ignorant nations have paid their 
 adoration 'before the fymbol of the Deity, in forne {hape or 
 other, and directed their homage to the place of his fup 
 pofed refidence. Even among enlightened nations, we find 
 many traces of the fame ideas ; the Papift bows to the 
 picture and the crucifix ; and the Methodiffc rolls up his 
 eyes in prayer to the iky. Perhaps unaffifted wifdom can 
 rife no higher ; and the reaibn why idol worihip was for 
 bidden in the divine law, was not becaufe of the erroneous 
 ideas of the original inftitutors, but becaufe the views of the 
 vulgar, in procefs of time, are apt to ft op fliort at the inter 
 mediate object, and to lofe fight of the original eiTence. 
 But the great crime of idolatrous nations confided in their 
 afcribing to the Deity the paffions and attributes of the 
 Devil, and in the horrid and murderous rites of their wor- 
 fliip. Mankind are more inclined to confider the Deity as a 
 
 'God 
 
94 A DISSERTATION CN THE 
 
 God of vengeance than a God of mercy. Even among 
 Chriftians, moil perfons afcribe afflictions to the hand of 
 Heaven, and prosperity to their own merit and prudence. 
 This principle operates in its full effect among favages. 
 They ufually form no idea of a general fuperintending 
 Providence ; they confider not the Deity as the author of 
 their beings, the creator of the world, and the difpenfer of 
 the happinefs they enjoy ; they difcern him not in the 
 ufual courfe of nature, in the funfhine and in the fhower, 
 the productions of the earth, and the bleffing of fociety ; 
 they find a Deity only in the florin, the earthquake, and 
 the whirlwind ; or afcribe to him the evils of peflilence 
 and famine ; they confider him as interpofmg in wrath to 
 change the courfe of nature, and exercifmg the attributes 
 of rage and revenge. They adore him with rites iuited to 
 thefe attributes, with horror, with penance, and with fa- 
 cririce ; they imagine him pleafed with the feverity of their 
 mortifications, with the oblations of blood, and the cries of 
 Jiuman victims ; and hope to compound for greater judg 
 ments, by voluntary fufferings and horrid facriticcs, fuited 
 to the rclifh of his tafte. 
 
 PERHAPS no fmgle criterion can be given, which will 
 determine more accurately the Hate of fociety in any age or 
 nation, than their general ideas concerning the nature and 
 attributes of the Deity. In the moft enlightened periods of 
 antiquity, only a very few of their wifeft philofophers, a 
 Socrates, a Tully, or a Confucius, ever formed a jufl idea 
 on the fubjecT:, or defcribed the Deity as a God of purity r 
 juftice, and benevolence. Can any thing then be more 
 
 aftonifhing 
 
GENIUS, &c. OF MANGO CAPAC. 9$ 
 
 afloni{hing than to view a favage native of the fouthern 
 wilds of America, rifing in an age, void of every trace of 
 learning or refinement, and acquiring, by the mere efforts 
 of reafon, a fublime and rational idea of the parent of the 
 wniverfe ! 
 
 HE taught the nation to confider him as the God of 
 order and regularity ; afcribing to his influence the rotation 
 of the feafons, the productions of the earth, and the bleffings 
 of health ; efpecially attributing to his infpiration the \vif- 
 dom of their laws, and that happy conftitution, which was 
 the delight and veneration of the peopled 
 
 THESE humane ideas of religion had a fenfible effect 
 upon the manners of the nation. They never began an 
 offensive war with their favage neighbours : and, whenever 
 their country was invaded, they made war, not to extir 
 pate, but to civilize. The conquered tribes, and thofe 
 taken captive, were adopted into the nation ; and, by 
 blending with the conquerors, forgot their former rage and 
 ferocity. 
 
 A SYSTEM fo juft and benevolent, as might be expected, 
 was attended with fuccefs. In about three centuries, 
 the dominions of the Incas had extended fifteen hundred 
 miles in length, and had introduced peace and profperity 
 through the whole region. The arts of fociety had been 
 carried to a confiderable degree of improvement, and the 
 authority of the Incan race univerfally acknowledged ; 
 when an event happened, that difturbed the tranquillity of 
 
 'the 
 
96 A DISSERTATION ON THE 
 
 the empire. Huana Capac, the twelfth monarch, had re 
 duced the powerful kingdom of Quito, and annexed it to 
 his empire. To conciliate the affections of his new fubjects, 
 he married a daughter of the ancient king of Quito. Thus, 
 by violating a fundamental law of the Incas, he left at his 
 death ad ifputed fucceffion to the throne. Atabalipa, the fon 
 of Huana, by the heirefs of Quito, being in poffefiion of 
 the principal force of the Peruvian armies, which was left 
 at that place on the death of his father, gave battle to his 
 brother Huafcar, who was the elder fon of Huana by a 
 lawful wife, and legal heir to the crown. After a long and 
 deftrucTive civil war, the former was victorious ; and thus 
 was that flourifhing and happy kingdom left a prey to civil 
 diiTentions, and to the few foldiers of Pizarrq, who happened 
 at that juncture to make a defcent upon their coaft. Thus 
 he effected an eafy conqueft and an utter deir.ru6t.ion of that 
 unfortunate people. It is however extremely obvious, that 
 this deplorable event is not to be charged on Capac, as the 
 confequence of any defect in his inftitution. It is impoffible 
 that any original legiflatpr fhould effectually guard againft 
 the folly of a future fovereign. Capac had not only re 
 moved every temptation that could induce a wife prince to 
 wifli for a change in the conftitution, but had connected 
 the ruin of his authority with the change ; for he, who 
 difregards any part of inftitutions deemed facred, teaches hi* 
 people to confider the whole as an impofture. Had he 
 made a law ordaining that the Peruvians Ihould be abfolved 
 from their allegiance to. a prince, who mould violate the 
 laws, it would evidently have implied poflible error and im 
 perfection inthofe perfons whom the people were ordered to 
 
 regard 
 
GENIUS, &c. OF MANGO CAPAC. 97 
 regard as Divinities : the reverence due to characters who 
 made fuch high pretenfions, would have been weakened ; 
 and, inftead of rendering the conftitution perfect, fuch a 
 law would have been its greateft defect. Befides, it is pro- 
 bable the rupture might have been healed, and the fuc- 
 ceflion fettled, with as little difficulty as frequently happens 
 with partial revolutions in other kingdoms, had not the 
 defcent of the Spaniards prevented it. And this event, to a 
 man in that age and country, was totally beyond the pofiV 
 bility of human forefight. But viewing the concurrence of 
 thefe fatal accidents, which reduced this nourHhing empire 
 to a level with many other ruined and departed kingdoms, it 
 only proves that no human fyftem has the privilege to be 
 perfea. 
 
 ON the whole, it is evident, that the fyftem of Capac is 
 the mofl furprifing exertion of human genius to be found 
 in the hiftory of mankind. When we confider him as an 
 individual emerging from the midft of a barbarous people, 
 having feen no poflible example of the operation of laws in 
 any country, originating a plan of religion and policy never 
 equalled by the fages of antiquity, civilizing an extenure 
 empire, and rendering religion and government fubfervient 
 to the general happinefs of mankind, there is no danger that 
 we grow too warm in his praife, or pronounce too high an 
 eulogium on his character. Had fuch a genius appeared in 
 Greece or Rome, he had been thefubjecl: of univerfal admi 
 ration ; had he arifen in the favourite land of Turkey, his 
 praifes had filled a thoufand pages in the diffufive writings of 
 Voltaire. 
 
 G THE 
 

 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK 111. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 The acJiom of Capac. A general invajlon threatened by 
 the mountain favages. Rocha, the Inca'sfon, fent with a 
 few companions to offer terms of peace. His embajfy. His 
 ad-venture with the worjbippers of the Volcano. With 
 thofe vf theftorm^ on the Andes. Falls in with the favage 
 armies. Character andfpeech ofZamor, their chief. Sa 
 crifice of Rocha 1 s companions. Death-fong of Azonto. 
 War '-dance. March of the favage armies down the 
 mountains to Peru. Incan army meets them. Battle joins. 
 Peruvians routed by an eclipfe of the fun. They fly to 
 Cufco. Grief of Oella, fuppojing the darknefs to be occa- 
 Jioned by the death of her Jon Rocha. Sun appears. 
 Peruvian army affembles, and they difcover Rocha on an 
 altar in the favage camp. They march in hajle out of the 
 city and engage the favages. Exploits of Capac* Death 
 of Zamor. Recovery of Rocha y and fubmijjlon of the 
 enemy. 
 
101 
 
 THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS, 
 BOOK IIL 
 
 O W, twice twelve years, the children of the fides 
 Beheld in peace their growing empire rife ; 
 O'er happy realms difplay'd their generous care f 
 DifFus'd their arts, and footh'd the rage of war ; 
 Bade yon tall temple grace the fav'rite ifle, g 
 
 The gardens bloom, the cultur'd valleys fmile, 
 Th'afpiring hills their fpacious mines unfold, 
 Fair ftru&ures blaze, and altars burn, in gold, 
 Thofe broad foundations bend their arches high, 
 And rear imperial Cufco to the fky ; IO 
 
 While wealth and grandeur blefs'd th'extended reign, 
 
 From the bold Andes to. the weftern main. 
 
 When, fierce from- eaftern wilds, the favage bands 
 
 Lead fire and flaughter o'er the happy lands - r 
 
 Thro* fertile fields the paths of culture trace, I jj 
 
 And vow deflru&ion to the Incan race. 
 
 The king, undaunted in defennve war, 
 
 Drives back their hofl and fpeeds their flight afar ; 
 
 G 3 Till, 
 
302, THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Till, nYd with rage, they range the wonted wood, 
 
 And feaft their fouls on future fcenes of blood. 20 
 
 Where yon blue furnmits hang their cliffs on high, 
 Frown o'er the plains and lengthen round the fky ; 
 Where vales exalted thro' the breaches run, 
 And drink the purer fplendors of the fun, 
 The tribes in numerous meditate the blow, 25 
 
 To blend their force and whelm the world below. 
 Capac, with caution, views the dark delign, 
 From countlefs wilds what hoftile myriads join ; 
 And feeks the means, by proffer'd leagues of peace, 
 TO calm their rage and bid the difcord ceafe. 30 
 
 His eldeft hope, young Rocha, at his call, 
 Leaves the deep confines of the temple wall ; 
 In whofe fair form, in lucid garments dreft, 
 Began the facred function of the priefr.. 
 
 In early youth, ere yet the genial fun 35 
 
 Had twice fix changes o'er his childhood run, 
 The blooming prince, beneath his parents' hand, 
 Learn'd all the laws that fway'd the facred land ; 
 With rites myfterious * ferv'd the Power divine, 
 Prepar'd the altar and adorn'd the {hrir.e, 40 
 
 * The high-prieft of the Sun was always one of the ro} al 
 family ; and, in every generation after the hrft, was brother io 
 the king. This office probably began with Rocha, as h? \~ ; 
 the firil who was capable of receiving it, and as it was neceiFary, 
 in the education of the prince, that he Ihould be initiated in the 
 facred mvfteries. 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 103 
 
 Refponfive hail'd, with ftill returning praife, 
 Each circling feafon that the Goddifplays, 
 Sooth'd with funereal hymns the parting dead, 
 At nuptial feafts the joyful chorus led ; 
 While evening incenfe, and the morning fong, . 
 Rofe from his hand or trembled on his tongue* 
 
 Thus, form'd for empire, ere he gain'd the fvvay ; 
 To rule with reverence, and with power obey, 
 Reflect the glories of the parent Sun, 
 And mine the Capac of his future throne, 
 * ^Employ'd his ripening years ; till now, from far, 
 The diftant fields proclaim approaching war ; 
 Matur'd for active fcenes he quits the toine, 
 To aid the council or in arcis to mine. 
 
 Where the mild monarch courtly throngs enclofe^ 5 5 
 Sublime in modeft majefly he rofe, 
 With reverence bow'd, confpicuous o'er the reft, 
 Approach'd the throne, and thus the fife addre&'d : 
 Great king of nations, heav'h-defcended fage^ 
 Guard of my youth and glory of my. age, 60 
 
 Thefe pontiff robes to my bleft brother's hand 
 Glad I refxgn, and, wait thy kind command. 
 Should war invade, permit thy fon to wield 
 The fhaft of vengeance through th'untempted field ; 
 
 G 4 Led 
 
i6 4 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Led by thy powerful arm, my foul fhall brave 6^ 
 
 The haughtieft foe, ffr find a glorious grave ; 
 
 For this dread conflict: all our force demands, 
 
 In one wide field to whelm the brutal bands, 
 
 Pour to the mountain gods their wonted food, 
 
 And fhield thy realms from future fcenes of blood. 70 
 
 Yet oh, may fovereign mercy firft ordain 
 
 Propounded compact to the favage train. 
 
 Fearlefs of foes their own dark wilds I'll trace, 
 
 To quell the rage and give the terms of peace, 
 
 Teach the grim tribes to bow beneath thy fway, jjj 
 
 And tafte the bleflings of the Power of day. 
 
 The fire returned : My earlieft wifh you know, 
 To fhield from Slaughter and preferve the foe, 
 In bands of mutual peace all tribes to bind, 
 And live the friend and guardian of mankind. So 
 
 Should ftrife begin, thy youthful arm fliall mare 
 The toils of glory through the walks of war ; 
 But o'er thofe hideous hills, thro' climes qf mow, 
 With reafon's voice to lure the favage foe, 
 To 'fcape their fnares, their jarring fouls combine, 85 
 
 Claims hardier limbs and riper years than thine. 
 Yet one of heav'niy race the tafk requires, 
 Whofe myftic rites controul th'etherial fires ; 
 
 So 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 105 
 
 So the footh'd Godhead proves, to faithlefs eyes, 
 
 His fway on earth and empire of the fkies. 90 
 
 Some veteran chief, in thofe rough labours try'd, 
 
 Shall aid the toil, and go thy faithful guide ; 
 
 O'er dreary heights thy finking limbs fuftain, 
 
 Teach the dark wiles of each inftdious train, 
 
 Through all extremes of life thy voice attend, 95 
 
 In council lead thee, or in arms defend ; 
 
 While three firm youths, thy chofen friends, (hall go 
 
 To learn the climes and meditate the foe ; 
 
 That wars of future years their aid may find, 
 
 To ferve the realm and fave the favage kind. jv ^ 
 
 Rife then, my fon, bright partner of my fame, 
 
 With early toils to build thy facred name ; 
 
 In high beheft thefe heav'nly tidings bear, 
 
 To blefs mankind and ward the wafie of war. 
 
 To thofe dark hofls, where fhivering mountains run, 105 
 
 Proclaim the bounties of our fire the Sun. 
 
 On thefe fair plains, beneath his happier fkies, 
 
 Tell how his fruits in boundlefs plenty rife ; 
 
 How the bright Power, whofe all-delighting foul 
 
 Taught round the courts of heav'n his flars to roll, no 
 
 To us his peaceful fons hath kindly given 
 
 His pureft laws, the fav'rite grace of heaven ; 
 
 Bids 
 
io6 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Bids every tribe the fame glad laws attend, 
 
 His realms to widen and his fanes defend, 
 
 Confefs and emulate his bounteous fway, 115 
 
 And give his bleflings where he gives the day. 
 
 Yet, fhould the gathering legions Hill prepare 
 
 The {haft of flaughter for the barb'rous war, 
 
 Tell them we know to tread the crimfon plain, 
 
 And heav'n's bright children never yield to man. 120 
 
 But oh, my child, with fteps of caution go, 
 The ways are hideous, and enrag'd the foe ; 
 Blood fhins their altars, all their feafts are blood, 
 Death their delight, and darknefs reigns their God ; 
 Tygers and vultures, ftorms and earthquakes (hare 125 
 Their rites of worfhip and their fpoils of war. 
 Should'ft thou, my Rocha, tempt their vengeful ire, 
 Should thofe dear relics feed a favage fire, 
 Deep fighs would heave thy wretched mother's bread, 
 The pale fun fink in clouds of darknefs dreft, 130 
 
 Thy fire and haplefs nations rue the day 
 That drew thy fteps from thefe fad walls away. 
 
 Yet go ; 'tis virtue calls ; and realms unknown, 
 By thefe long toils, may blefs thy future throne ; 
 Millions of unborn fouls in time may fee 135 
 
 Their doom revers'd, and owe their joys to thee ; 
 
 While 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 107 
 
 While favage fires, with murdering hands, no more 
 
 JDread die grim Gods that claim their children's gore ; 
 
 But, fway'd by happier fceptres, here behold 
 
 The rites of freedom and the mrines of gold. 1 40 
 
 Be wife, be mindful of thy realm and throne ; 
 
 Heav'n fpeed thy labours, and preferve my fon * 
 
 Soon the glad prince, in robes of white array M, 
 CalFd his attendants, and the fire obeyed. 
 A diamond broad, in burning gold impreft, 145 
 
 Fix'd the fun's image on his royal breafl ; 
 Fair in his hand appeared the olive bough, 
 And the white lautu * grac'd his beauteous brow. 
 Swift o'er the hills that lift the walks of day, 
 Thro' parting clouds they took their eaftern way ; 1 50 
 
 Height over height they gain'd, beyond the bound 
 Where the wide empire claims its utmoft round ; 
 To numerous tribes proclaim'd the folar fway, 
 And held, through various toils, their tedious way. 
 
 At length, far diflant, thro' the darkening Ikies, 15 $ 
 Where hills o'er hills in rude diforder rife, 
 A dreadful groan, beneath the fhuddering ground, 
 Rolls down the fteeps and ihakes the world around. 
 
 The lautu was a cotton fringe, worn by the Incas, ?.s a 
 badge of royalty. 
 
 Columns 
 
io8 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Columns of reddening fmoke, above the height, 
 
 O'ercaft the heav'ns and cloud their wonted light ; 160 
 
 From tottering tops defcend the cliffs of fnow, 
 
 The mountains reel, the valleys rend below, 
 
 The headlong ftreams forget their ufual round, 
 
 And mrink and vanifh in the gaping ground ; 
 
 The fun defcends Wide flames with livid glare j 6 
 
 Break the red cloud and purple all the air ; 
 
 Above the gaping top, wild cinders driven, 
 
 Stream high and brighten to the midft of heaven . 
 
 Deep from beneath, full floods of boiling ore 
 
 Burfl the dread mount, and thro* the opening roar ; 170 
 
 Torrents of molten rocks, on every fide, 
 
 Lead o'er the {helves of ice the fiery tide ; 
 
 Hills flide before them, ikies around them burn, 
 
 Towns fink beneath, and heaving plains overturn ; 
 
 Thro' diftant realms, the flaming deluge hurl'd, 17$ 
 
 Sweeps trembling nations from th' aftonim'd world. 
 
 Meanwhile, at diftance, through the livid light, 
 A bufy concourfe met their wondering fight ; 
 The prince drew near ; where lo ! an altar flood, 
 In form a furnace, fill'd with burning wood ; 1 80 
 
 There a fair youth in pangs expiring lay, 
 And the fond father thus was heard to pray : 
 
 * Receive, 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 109 
 
 * Receive, O dreadful. Power, from feeble age, 
 This laft pure offering to thy fatelels rage ; 
 
 Thrice has thy vengeance, on this hated land, 185 
 
 Claim'd a dear infant from my yielding hand ; 
 Thrice have thofe lovely lips the victim prefs'd, 
 And all the mother torn that tender breaft j 
 When the dread duty ftifled every figh, 
 And not a tear efcap'd her beauteous eye. 190 
 
 The fourth, and laft, now meets the fatal doom, 
 (Groan not, my child, thy God commands thee home) 
 Attend, once more, thou dark, infernal name, 
 From yon far-ftreaming pyramid of flame ; 
 Snatch, from the heaving flem, th' expiring breath, 19^ 
 Sacred to thee and all the powers of death ; 
 Then, in thy hall, with fpoils of nations crown'd, 
 Confine thy walks, beneath the rending ground ; 
 No more on earth th' embowell'd flames to pour, 
 Andfcourge my people and my race no more. 2QO 
 
 Thus Rocha heard ; and, toward the trembling crowd, 
 Turn'd the bright cnfign of his beaming God. 
 
 * It is a fad, that the different tribes of thofe mountain fa- 
 vages worfhipped the various obje&s of terror that infefted the 
 particular parts of the country where they dwelt ; fuch as ftorms, 
 volcanoes, rivers, lakes, and feveral beads and birds of prey ; 
 and all with this idea, that their forefathers defcended from the 
 gods which they worfhipped. 
 
 Th' 
 
no THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Tli* afflf&ed chief, with fear and grief opprefs'd, 
 
 Beheld the fign, and thus the prince addrefs'd : 
 
 From what far land, O royal flrangel', fay, 205 
 
 Afcend thy wandering fteps this nightly way ? 
 
 Com'ft thou from plains like ours, with cinders fir'd ? 
 
 And have thy people in the flames expir'd ? 
 
 Or hall thou now, to flay the whelming flood, 
 
 No Ion to offer to the furious God? 210 
 
 From happier lands I came, the prince returned, 
 Where no red vengeance e'er the concave burn'd ;. 
 No furious God diirurbs the peaceful fkies, 
 Nor yield our hands the bloody facrifice ; 
 But life and joy the Power delights to give, 215 
 
 And bids his children but rejoice and live. 
 Thou feeft o'er heav'n the all-delighting fun, 
 In living radiance reaY fiis golden throne ; 
 O'er plains and valleys fhed his genial beams, 
 Call from yon cliffs of ice the winding ftreams ; 220 
 
 While fruits and flowers adorn th' indulgent field, 
 And feas and lakes their copious treafures yield, 
 He reigns our only God ; in him we trace 
 The friend, the father of our happy race. 
 Late the lone tribes, on thofe delightful fhores, 825 
 
 With gloomy reverence ferv'd imagined powers ; 
 
 Till 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. m? 
 
 Till he, in pity to the roving race, 
 
 Difpens'd their laws, and form'd their minds for peace. 
 
 My heav'n-born parents firft the reign began, 
 
 Sent from his courts to rule the race of man, 230 
 
 To teach his arts, extend his bounteous fway, 
 
 And give his bleflings where he gives the day. 
 
 The wondering chief reply 'd : Thy garb and face 
 Proclaim thy lineage of fuperior race ; 
 And our far-diftant fires, no lefs than thine, 235 
 
 Sprang from a God, and own a birth divine. 
 From that tremendous mount, the fource of flame, 
 In elder times, my great forefathers came ; 
 Where the dread Power conceals his dark abode, 
 And claims, as now, the tribute of a God. 240 
 
 This victim due when willing mortals pay, 
 His terrors leflen and- his fires decay ; 
 While purer fleet regales th* untainted air, 
 And our glad hofts are nYd for fiercer war. 
 
 Yet know, dread chief, the pious youth rejoin'd, 24$ 
 One fov'reign Power produc'd all human kind; 
 Some Sire fupreme, whofe ever-ruling foul 
 Creates, preferves, and regulates the whole. 
 That Sire fupreme mufl lift his radiant eye 
 Round the Vide concave of the boundleis fky ; 250 
 
 That 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 That heav'n's high courts, and all the walks of men, 
 
 May rife unveil' d beneath his careful ken. 
 
 Could thy dark Power, that holds his drear abode 
 
 Deep in the bofom of that fiery flood, 
 
 Yield the glad fruits that diftant nations find ? 25 5 
 
 Or praife, or punim, or behold mankind ? 
 
 When the bleft God, from glooms of changing night, 
 
 Shall gild his chambers with the morning light. 
 
 By myftic rites he'll vindicate his throne, 
 
 And own thy fervant for his duteous fon. 36$ 
 
 Meantime, the chief reply'd, thy cares releas*d, 
 Share the poor relics of our fcanty feaft ; 
 Which, driv'n in hafty rout, our train fupply'd, 
 When trembling earth proclaim'd the boiling tide. 
 They far'd, they refted ; till approaching morn 26^ 
 
 Beheld the day-flar o'er the mountain burn ; 
 The prince arofe, an altar reared on high, 
 And watch'd the fplendors of the orient fky. 
 
 When o'er the mountain flam'd the fun's broad ray t 
 He call'd the hoft his facred rites t'eflay; 270 
 
 Then took the loaves of maize, the bounties brake, 
 Gave to the chief and bade them all partake ; 
 The hallow'd relics on the pile he plac'd, 
 With tufts of flow'rs the fimple offering grac'd, 
 
 Held 
 
fcOOK THE THIRD. 113 
 
 Held to the fun the image from his bfeaft, 275 
 
 Whofe glowing concave all the God expreft ; 
 O'er the dry'd leaves the rays concentred fly, 
 And thus his voice afcends the lifl'ning fky :- 
 
 O thou, whofc fplendors kindle heav'n with fire, 
 Great foul of nature, and the world's dread fire, a8ci 
 
 If e'er my father found thy fov'reign grace, 
 Or thy bleft will ordain'd the Incan race, 
 Give thefe lone tribes to learn thine awful name, 
 Receive this offering, and the pile inflame : 
 So fhall thy laws o'er thefe wide bounds be known, 285 
 And earth's unnumber'd fons be happy as thy own. 
 
 Thus pray'd the prince : the kindling flames afpire, 
 The tribes furrounding tremble and retire, 
 Gaze on the wonder, full conviction own* 
 And vow obedience to the facred Sun. 290- 
 
 The legates now their farther courfe defcry'd> 
 A young cazique attending as a guide, 
 O'er craggy cliffs purfu'd their eaftern way, 
 Where loftier champaigns meet the fhivering day ; 
 Saw timorous tribes, in thofe fublime abodes, 295 
 
 Adore the blafts, and turn the dorms to gods j 
 While every cloud, that thunders thro' the fkies, 
 Claims from their hands a human facrifice, 
 
 H Awhile 
 
ii4 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Awhile the youth, their better faith to gain, 
 
 Strives, with his ufual art, but drives in vain ; 300 
 
 In vain he pleads the miidnefs of the fun, 
 
 In thofe cold bounds where chilling whirlwinds run ; 
 
 Where the dark tempeils fweep the world below, 
 
 And load the mountains with eternal fnow. 
 
 The fun's bright beam, the fearful tribes declare, 305 
 
 Drives all their evils on the tortur'd air ; 
 
 He draws the vapours up the eallern fky, 
 
 That fail and centre tow'rd his dazzling eye ; 
 
 Leads the loud florins along his mid- day courfe, 
 
 And bids the Andes meet their fweeping force; 310 
 
 Builds their bleak fummits with an icy throne, 
 
 To fhine through heav'n, a femblance of his own ; 
 
 Hence the dire chills the lifted lawns that wait, 
 
 And all the fcourges that attend their ftate. 
 
 Sev'n toilfome days, the virt'ous Inca drove, 315 
 
 To focial joys their favage minds to move ; 
 
 Then, while the morning glow'd ferenely bright, 
 
 He led their footfteps to an eaftern height ; 
 
 The world, unbounded, ftretch'd beneath them, lay, 
 
 And not a cloud obfcur'd the rifmg day : 320 
 
 Broad Amazonia, with her {tar-like ftreams, 
 
 In azure dreft, a heav'n inverted feems ; 
 
 Dim 
 
BOOK THE THIRD- 115 
 
 Dim Paraguay extends the aching fight ; 
 
 Xaraya * glimmers like the moon of night ; 
 
 The earth and fides, in blending borders {tray* 325 
 
 And fmile and brighten to the lamp of day. 
 
 When thus the prince : * What majefty divine ! 
 
 What robes of gold ! what flames around him fhine ! 
 
 There walks the God ! his {tarry fons on high, 
 
 Draw their dim veil, and {brink behind the Iky ; 330 
 
 Earth with (unrounding nature 's born a-new, 
 
 And tribes and empires greet the gladdening view ! 
 
 Who can behold his all-delighting foul 
 
 Give life and joy, and heav'n and earth controul, 
 
 Bid death and darknefs from his prefence move 335 
 
 Who can behold, and not adore and love ? 
 
 Thofe plains, immenfely circling, feel his beams, 
 
 He greens the groves, he filvers o'er the ftreams, 
 
 Swells the wild fruitage, gives the beaft his food, 
 
 And mute creation hails the genial God. 340 
 
 But nobler joys his righteous laws impart, 
 
 To aid the life and mould the focial heart, 
 
 His peaceful arts o'er happy realms to fpread> 
 
 And altars grace with pure celeftial bread; 
 
 * Xaraya is a large lake in the country of Paraguay, and \i. 
 the fource of the river Paraguay. 
 
 H 2 Such 
 
u6 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Such our diftinguifh'd lot, who own his fway, 345 
 
 Mild as his morning ftars, and liberal as the day. 
 
 His unknown laws, the mountain chief reply'dj 
 In your far world your boafted race may guide ; 
 And yon low plains, that drink his genial ray, 
 At his glad flirine their juft devotions pay. 350 
 
 But we, nor fear his frown, nor trull his fmile ; 
 He blafts our forefts and o'erturns our toil ; 
 Our bowers are bury'd in his whirls of fnow, 
 Or fwept and driv'n to fhade his tribes below. 
 Ev'n now his mounting fteps thy hopes beguile, 355 
 
 He lures thy raptures with a morning fmile ; 
 But foon (for fo thofe faffron robes proclaim) 
 Black florms fhall fail beneath his leading flame, 
 Thunders and blafts, againft the mountains driven, 
 Shall fhake the tott'ring tops, and rend the vault of heaven. 
 
 He fpoke ; they waited, till th' afcending ray, 
 High from the noon-tide mot the faithlefs day ; 
 When, lo ! far-gathering, round the eaftern Ikies, 
 Solemn and flow, the dark-red vapours rife ; 
 Full clouds, convolving on the turbid air, 365 
 
 Move, like an ocean, to the watery war. 
 The hoft, fecurely rais'd, no dangers harm, 
 They fit unclouded, and o'eiiook the dorm ; 
 
 While, 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 117 
 
 While, far beneath, the fky-borne waters ride, 
 
 O'er the dark deep and up the mountain's fide ; 370 
 
 The lightning's glancing wings, in fury curl'd, 
 
 Bend their long forky terrors o'er the world ; 
 
 Torrents, and broken crags, and floods of rain, 
 
 From fteep to deep roll down their force amain, 
 
 In dreadful cataracts ; the crafhing found 375 
 
 Fills the wide heav'ns and rocks the fmouldering ground. 
 
 The blafts, unburden'd, take their upward courfe, 
 
 And, o'er the mountain top, refume their force : 
 
 Swift, thro' the long white ridges, from the north, 
 
 The rapid whirlwinds lead their terrors forth ; 380 
 
 High rolls the ftorm, the circling furges rife, 
 
 And wild gyrations wheel the hovering fkies ; 
 
 Vaft hills of fnow, in fweeping columns driven, 
 
 Deluge the air and cloud the face of heaven ; 
 
 Floods burl! their chains, the rocks forget their place, 385 
 
 And the firm mountain trembles to its bafe. 
 
 Long gaz'd the holt ; when thus the ftubborn chief, 
 With eyes on fire, and fill'd with fullen grief: - 
 Behold thy carelefs God, fecure on high, 
 Laughs at our woes, and peaceful walks the iky, 390 
 
 Drives ail his evils on thefe feats fublime, 
 And wafts his favours to a happier clime ; 
 
 H 3 Site 
 
u8 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Sire of that joyous race thy words difclofe, 
 
 There glads his children, here afflich his foes. 
 
 Hence ! fpeed thy courfe ! purfue him where he leads ; 395 
 
 Left vengeance feize thee for thy father's deeds, 
 
 Thy immolated limbs afiwage the fire 
 
 Of thofe curft powers, which now a gift require. 
 
 The youth, in hafte, collects his fcanty train, 
 And, with the fun, flies o'er the weflern plain, 400 
 
 The fading orb with plaintive voice he plies, 
 To guide his fteps and light him down the ikies. 
 So, when the moon and all the hoft of even, 
 Hang, pale and trembling, on the verge of heaven, 
 While florms, afcending, threat their nightly reign, 405 
 They feek their abfent fire, and fettle down the main. 
 Now, to the fouth he turns ; where one vaft plain 
 Calls from the hills, a wide-extended train ; 
 Of various drefs and various form they fhow'd ; 
 Each wore the enfign of his local god. 410 
 
 From eaftern fteeps, a grifly hoft defcends, 
 O'er whofe grim chief a tyger's hide depends : 
 The tufky jaws grin o'er his ihaggy brow, 
 The eye-bulls glare, the paws depend below j 
 From his bor'd ears contorted ferpents hung, \i$ 
 
 And drops of gore feem'd rolling on his tongue. 
 
 From 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 119 
 
 From northern wilds dark move the vulture-race ; 
 
 Black tufts of quills their {haded foreheads grace ; - 
 
 The claws extend, the beak is op'd for blood, 
 
 And all the armour imitates the god. 420 
 
 The * condor, frowning, from a fouthern plain, 
 
 Borne on a ftandard, leads a numerous train : 
 
 Clench 'd in his talons hangs an infant dead, 
 
 His long beak pointing where the fquadrons tread ; 
 
 His wings, far-ftretching, cleave the yielding wind, 425 
 
 And his broad tail o'er/hades the hoft behind. 
 
 *. 
 
 From other plains, and other hills, afar, 
 
 The tribes throng dreadful to the promis'd war ; 
 
 Some wear the crefted furies of the fnake, 
 
 Some fliow the emblems of a ftream or lake ; 430 
 
 All, from the Power they ferve, aflTume their mode, 
 
 And foam and yell to tafte the Incan blood. 
 
 The prince, incautious, with his train drew near, 
 Known for an Inca by his drefs and air. 
 At once the favage bands to vengeance move, 435 
 
 Demand their arms, and chafe them round the grove ; 
 His fcattering hoft in vain the combat tries, 
 While circling thoufands from their ambulh rife ; 
 
 * The condor is fuppofed to be the largeft bird in the world. 
 His wings, from one extreme to the other^ are faid to meaiiiie 
 twenty feet ; and he is able to carry a child in his clutches. 
 
 H 4 Nor 
 
120 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS? 
 
 Nor power to ftrive, nor hope of flight remains, 
 
 They bow in filence to the vigor's chains. 4401 
 
 When, now the gathering fquadrons throng the plain, 
 
 And echoing fkies the rending fhouts retain ; 
 
 Zamor, the leader of the tyger-band, 
 
 By choice appointed to the firft command, 
 
 Shrugg'd up his fpotted fpoils above the reft, 445 
 
 And, grimly frowning, thus the crowd addrefs'd :*-< 
 
 Warriors, attend ; to-morrow leads abroad 
 Our facred vengeance for our brothers' blood. 
 On thofe fcorch'd plains for ever muft they lie, 
 Their bones ftill naked to the burning fky j 450 
 
 Left in the field for foreign hawks to tear, 
 Nor our own vultures can the banquet fhare ? 
 But foon, ye mountain gods, yon dreary weft 
 Shall fate your vengeance with a nobler feaft ; 
 When the proud Sun, that terror of the plain, 455 
 
 Shall grieve in heav'n for all his children flain ; 
 O'er boundlefs fields our flaught'ring myriads roam, 
 And your dark powers command a happier home* . 
 Meanwhile, ye tribes, thefe men of folar'race, 
 Food for the flames, your bloody rites fliall grace : 460 
 Each to a different god his panting breath 
 Refigns in fire j this night demands their death < 
 
 AU 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 121 
 
 AH but the Inca ; him, referv'd in ftate, 
 
 Thefe conquering hands ere long {hall immolate, 
 
 To that dread Power that thunders in the fkies, 46$ 
 
 A grateful gift, before his mother's eyes. 
 
 The favage ceas'd ; the chiefs of every race 
 Lead the bold captives to their deftin'd place ; 
 The fun defcends, the parting day expires, 
 And earth and heav'n difplay their fparkling fires. 470 
 Soon the rais'd altars kindle round the gloom, 
 And call the victims to the vengeful doom ; 
 Led to the pile, in fovereign pomp they tread, 
 And fmg, by turns, the triumphs of the dead. 
 Amid the crowd, befide his altar, flood 475 
 
 The youth devoted to the tyger-god : 
 A beauteous form he rofe, of noble grace, 
 The only hope of his illuftrious race ; 
 His aged fire, through numerous years, had flione, 
 The firft fupporter of the Incan throne ; 480 
 
 Wife Capac lov'd the youth, and grac'd his hand 
 With a fair virgin, from a neighbouring band ; 
 And him the royal prince, in equal prime, 
 Had chofe, t' attend him round the favage clime. 
 He mounts the pyre ; the flames approach his breath, 485 
 And thus he wakes the dauntlefs fong of death : 
 
 O 
 
i22 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 O thou dark vault of heaven ! his daily throne, 
 Where flee the abfent glories of the fun ? 
 Ye ftarry hofts, that kindle from his eye, 
 Can you behold him in the weftern fky ? 493 
 
 Or if, unfeen, beneath his watery bed, 
 The weary 'd God reclines his radiant head, 
 When next his morning fteps your courts inflame. 
 And feek on earth for young Azonto's name, 
 Then point thefe afhes, mark the fmoky pile, 495 
 
 And fay the hero fuffer'd with a finile. 
 So ftiall th' avenging Power, in fury dreil, 
 Bind the red * circlet o'er his changing veft, 
 Bid dire deit.ru6t.ion, on thefe dark abodes, 
 Whelm the grim tribes and all their favage gods. 500 
 
 But oh ! forbear to tell my {looping fire, 
 His darling hopes have fed a coward fire : 
 Why fhould he know the tortures of the brave ? 
 Or fruitlefs forrows bend him to the grave ? 
 And may'il thou ne'er be told, my bridal Fair, 505 
 
 What iilent pangs thefe panting vitals tear ; 
 But, blooming ftill, th'impatient wi{h employ 
 On the blind hope of future fcenes of joy. 
 
 * It is natural for the worfhippers of the Sun to confider 
 any change in the atmofphere as indicative of the different 
 paiTions afcribed to their divinity. With the Peruvians, a fan- 
 g'line appearance in the Sun denoted his anger. 
 

 BOOK THE THIRD. 123 
 
 Now hafte, ye ftrides of death ; the Power of day, 
 
 In abfent flumbers, gives your vengeance way ; 510 
 
 While fainter light thefe livid flames fupply, 
 
 And fhort-liv'd thoufands learn of me to die , 
 
 He ceas'd not (peaking ; when the yell of war 
 Drowns all their death-fongs in a hideous jar ; 
 Round the far-echoing hills the yellings pour, 5*5 
 
 And wolves and tygers catch the diflant roar, 
 Now more concordant all their voices join, 
 And round the plain they form the feftive line ; 
 When, to the mufic of the difmal din, 
 Indignant Zamor bids the dance begin. 520 
 
 Dim, thro' the fhadowy fires, each changing form 
 Moves like a cloud before an evening ftorm, 
 When, o'er the moon's pale face and ftarry plain, 
 The fhades of heav'n lead on their broken train ; 
 The mingling tribes their mazy circles tread, 525 
 
 Til! the laft groan proclaims the victims dead : 
 Then part the fmoky flefn, enjoy the feaft, 
 And lofe their labours in oblivions reft. 
 
 Now, when the weflern hills proclaim'd the mom, 
 And falling fires were fcarcely feen to burn, 533 
 
 Grimm'd by the horrors of the dreadful night, 
 The hofls woke fiercer for the diflant fight ; 
 
 And, 
 
124 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 And, dark and filent, thro' the frowning grove, 
 The different tribes beneath their ftandards move. 
 
 But, round the blifsful city of the Sun, 535 
 
 Since the young prince his foreign toils begun, 
 The prudent king collected, from afar, 
 His martial bands to meet th'expecled war. 
 The various tribes, in one extended train, 
 Move to the confmes of an eaftern plain ; 540 
 
 Where, from th'exalted kingdom's utmofl end, 
 Sublimer hills and favage walks afcend. 
 High in the front, imperial Capac flrode, 
 In fair effulgence like the beaming God ; 
 A golden girdle bound his fnowy veil, 545 
 
 A mimic fun hung trembling on his breaft, 
 The lautu's circling band his temples twin'd, 
 The bow, the quiver, made his waift behind ; 
 Rais'd high in air, his golden fceptre burn'd, 
 And hofts furrounding trembled as he turn'd. 550 
 
 O'er eaftern hills he caft his watchful eye, 
 Where op'ning breaches lengthen down the fky ; 
 In whofe blue clefts, wide-Hoping alleys bend, 
 Where annual floods from melting fnows defcend ; 
 Now, dry and deep, far up the dreary height, 555 
 
 . Show the dark fquadrons moving into fight ; 
 
 They 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 12$ 
 
 They throng and thicken on the fmoky air, 
 
 And every breach pours down the dufky war. 
 
 So when an hundred ftreams explore their way, 
 
 Down the fame ilopes, convolving to the fea ; 560 
 
 They boil, they bend, they urge their force amain, 
 
 Swell o'er obftruding crags, and fweep the diftant plain. 
 
 Capac beholds, and waits the coming fhock, 
 Unmov'd, and gleaming, like an icy rock ; 
 And while for fight the arming hofls prepare, 565 
 
 Thus thro' the files he breathes the foul of war : 
 Ye hofts, of every tribe and every plain, 
 That live and flourifh in my father's reign, 
 Long have your flocks and rip'ning harvefts fliown 
 The genial fmiles of his indulgent throne ; 570 
 
 As o'er (unrounding realms his bleflings flow'd, 
 And conqu^r'd all without the ftain of blood. 
 But now behold, yon wide-collecting band, 
 With threat'ning war, demands the happy land : 
 Beneath the dark, immeafurable hoft, 575 
 
 Defcending, fwarming, how the crags are loft ! 
 Already now their ravening eyes behold 
 Your flar-bright temples and your gates of gold ; 
 And to their gods in fancied goblets pour, 
 The warm libation of your children's gore. 580 
 
 Move 
 
126 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Move then to vengeance, meet the fons of blood, 
 Led by this arm, and lighted by that God ; 
 
 The ftrife is fierce, your fanes and fields the prize, 
 
 The warrior conquers or the infant dies. 
 
 Fill'd with his fire, the boils, in fquar'd array ^ 585 
 
 Eye the dark legions and demand th'affray ; 
 
 Their pointed arrows, rifing on the bow, 
 
 Look up the iky and chide the lagging foe. 
 
 Fierce Zamor, frowning, leads the grilly train^ 
 
 Moves from the clefts, and ftretches o'er tlie plain j 590 
 
 He gives the ihriek ; the deep convulfing found 
 
 The hofts re-echo ; and the hills around 
 
 Retain the rending tumult all the air 
 
 Clangs in the conflict of the claihing war. 
 
 But firm, undaunted, as a fhelvy ftrand, 595 
 
 That meets the furge, the bold Peruvians (land ; 
 
 With fteady aim the founding bow-ftring ply, 
 
 And fhowers of arrows thicken thro' the fky ; 
 
 When each grim hoft, in clofer conflict join'd, 
 
 Clench the dire ax, and caft the bow behind ; 600 
 
 Thro' broken ranks fweep wide the rapid courfe, 
 
 Now flruggle back, now fidelong fway the force ; 
 
 Here, from grim chiefs is lopp'd the grifly head ; 
 
 All gride the dying, all deface the dead ; 
 
 There, 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 127 
 
 There, (battering o'er the field, in thin array, 605 
 
 Man drives with man, and ftones with axes play ; 
 With broken {hafts they follow and they fly, 
 And yells, and groans, and fhouts invade the iky ; 
 Round all the plains and groves, the ground is ftrow'd 
 With fever'd limbs and corfes bath'd in blood. 610 
 
 Long rag'd the flrife ; and where, on either fide, 
 A friend, a father, or a brother died, 
 No trace remain'd of what he fhow'd before, 
 Mangled with horrid wounds and fmear'd with gore. 
 
 Now the Peruvians, in colle&ed might, 615 
 
 With one wide fweep had wing'd the favage flight ; 
 But heaven's bright fplendor, in his mid day race, 
 W T ith glooms unufual veil'd his radiant face. 
 By flow degrees a folemn twilight moves, 
 Browns the dim heav'ns and fhades the confcious groves. 620 
 Th'obferving Inca views, with wild furprife, 
 Deep glooms on earth, no cloud around the fkies, 
 His hoft o'ermaded in the field of blood, 
 Gor'd by his foes, deferted by his God. 
 All, mute with wonder, ceafe the ftrife to wage, 625 
 
 Gaze at each other, and forget their rage ; 
 When pious Capac, to the liftening croud, 
 Rais'd high his wand and pour'd his voice aloud : 
 
 Ye 
 
 I 
 
128 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS? 
 
 Ye chiefs and warriors of Peruvian race, 
 
 Some dire offence obfcures my father's face ; 630 
 
 What moves the Godhead to defert the plain, 
 
 Nor fave his children, nor behold them flain ? 
 
 Fly ! fpeed your courfe; and feek the friendly town, 
 
 Ere darknefs fhroud you in a deeper frown ; 
 
 The faithful walls your fquadrons fhall defend, 635 
 
 While my fad fleps the facred dome afcend ; 
 
 There learn the caufe, and ward the woes we fear 
 
 Hade, hafte, my fons, I guard the flying rear, 
 
 The hero fpoke ; the trembling tribes obey, 
 While deeper glooms obfcure the fource of day. .640 
 
 Sudden, the favage bands collect amain, 
 Hang on the rear and fweep them o'er the plain ; 
 Their fhouts, redoubling o'er the flying war, 
 Drown the loud groans and torture all the air ; 
 The hawks of heav'n, that o'er the field had flood, 64$ 
 Scar'd by the tumult from the fcent of blood, 
 Cleave the far gloom ; the beads forget their prey, 
 And fcour the wade, and give the war its way. 
 
 Zamor, elate with horrid joy, beheld 
 The fun depart, his children fly the field, 650 
 
 And rais'd his rending voice : Thou darkening Iky, 
 Deepen thy glooms, the Power of death is nigh ; 
 
 Behold- 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 129 
 
 Behold him rifing from his nightly throve, 
 
 To veil the heav'ns and drive the conquer'd fun ! 
 
 The glaring Godhead yields to facred night ; 655 
 
 And all his armies imitate his flight. 
 
 O dark, infernal Power, confirm thy reign ; 
 
 Give deadlier fhades, and heap the piles of flain ! 
 
 Soon the young captive Prince fliall roll in fire, 
 
 And all his race accumulate the pyre. 660 
 
 Ye mountain vultures, here your vengeance pour, 
 
 Tygers and condors, all ye gods of gore, 
 
 In thefe dread fields, beneath your frowning &.y, 
 
 A plenteous feafl mail every god fupply ! 
 
 Rum forward, warriors, hide the plains with dead ; 665 
 
 'Twas here our friends, in former combat, bled ; 
 
 Strow'd thro' the wafle, their naked bones demand 
 
 This ample vengeance from our conquering hand. 
 
 He faid ; and, high before the tyger-train, 
 With longer ftrides, hangs forward o'er the flain, 670 
 Bends, like a falling tree, to reach ths foe, 
 And o'er tall Capac aims a deadly blow. 
 The king beheld the ax, and with his wand 
 Struck the rais'd weapon from his grafping hand ; 
 Then clench'd the falling helve, and whirling round, 675 
 Feli'd furious hofts of heroes to the ground : 
 
 I Nor 
 
i 3 o THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Nor ftay'd, but follow'd, where the fquadrons run, 
 
 Fearing to fight, forfaken by the fun ; 
 
 Till Cufco's walls falute their longing fight, 
 
 And the wide gates receive their rapid flight. 680 
 
 The folds are barr'd, the foes, in fhade conceal'd, 
 
 Like howling wolves, rave round th'arfrighted field. 
 
 The monarch now afcends the facred dome, 
 "Where the fun's image wore a faded gloom. 
 Thro' all the courts a folemn iliade prevail'd, 685 
 
 And female groans his liftening ear afTaiFd ; 
 Deep from an inner fhrine, the burfling fighs 
 Breathe forth awhile, and thefe fad accents rife : 
 Was it for this, my fon to diftant lands 
 Muft trace the wilds, amid thofe favage bands ? 690 
 
 And does the God obfcure his golden throne, 
 In mournful filence for my flaughter'd fon? 
 Oh, had his beam, ere that difaftrous day, 
 That fnatch'd the youth from thefe fond arms away, 
 Receiv'd my mounting fpirit to the fky, 695 
 
 That fad Oella might have feen him die I 
 Where flept thy haft of vengeance, O my God, 
 When thofe fell tygers. drank his facred blood ? 
 Did not the pious prince, with rites divine, 
 Feed the pure flame within thy hallow'd fhrine ? 700 
 
 And 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 331 
 
 And early learn, beneath his father's hand, 
 
 To fried thy bleflings round the favoured land, 
 
 Form'd by thy laws the royal feat to grace, 
 
 Son of thy fon, and glory of his race ? 
 
 Where, deareft Rocha, refts thy beauteous head ? 705 
 
 Where the rent robes thy haplefs mother made ? 
 
 I fee thee, mid thofe hideous hills of fnow, 
 
 Purfu'd and flaughter'd by the favage foe ; 
 
 Or doom'd a feaft for fome infernal God, 
 
 Whofe horrid fhrine demands thy harmlefs blood. 710 
 
 Snatch me, O Sun, to happier worlds of light 
 
 No, fhroud me, fliroud me, with thyfelf in night 
 
 Thou hear'ft me not ; thou dread, departed Power, 
 
 Thy face is dark, and Rocha is no more. 
 
 Thus heard the filent king ; his heaving heart 71 ? 
 
 Caught all her grief, and bore a father's part. 
 
 The caufe, fuggefted by her tender moan, 
 
 That veil'd the mid-day fplendors of the fun, 
 
 And fhouts infulting of the raging foe, 
 
 Fix'd him fufpenfe, in all the ftrength of woe. 720 
 
 A doubtful moment held his changing choice ; 
 
 Now would he footh her ; half i flumes his voice ; 
 
 But greater cares the rifing wifh controul, 
 
 And call forth all his dignity of foul. 
 
 I at Why 
 
ifca THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Why fhoud he eeafe to ward the coming fate ? ' '725 
 
 Or fhe be told the foes befiege the gate ? 
 
 He turn'd in hafte ; and now the image-God, 
 
 High in the front, with kindling luftre glow'd : 
 
 Swift thro' the portal flew the hero's eye, 
 
 And hail'd the growing fplendor in the fky. 7 30 
 
 The troops courageous at return of light, 
 Pour round the dome, impatient for the fight ; 
 The chief, defcending, in the portal flood, 
 And thus addrefs'd the all-delighting God : 
 
 O fovereign foul of heav'n ; thy changing face 73^ 
 Makes or deilroys the glory of thy race. 
 If, from the bounds of earth, my fon -be fled, 
 JFirft of thy line that ever grac'd the dead ; 
 If thy bright Godhead ceas'd in heav'n to burn, 
 For that lov'd youth, who never muft return ; 740 
 
 Forgive thine armies, when, in fields of blood, 
 They lofe their ftrength, and fear the frowning God. 
 As now thy glory, with fuperior day, 
 Glows thro' the field and leads the warrior's way, 
 May our delighted fouls, to vengeance driven, 745 
 
 Burn with new brightnefs in the caufe of heaven j 
 For thy flain fon fee larger fquadrons bleed, , 
 We mourn the here, but avenge the deed ! 
 
 He 
 
BOOK THE THIRD. 133 
 
 He faid ; and, from the battlements on high, 
 A watchful warrior rais'd an eager cry : 75 
 
 " An Inca white on. yonder altar tied 
 3 Tis Rocha's fcif the flame afcends his fide,, r 
 
 In fweeping hafte the burfting gates unbar, 
 And flood the champaign with a tide of war ; 
 A cloud of arrows leads the rapid train, 753 
 
 They mout, they fwarrri, they hide the moving plain ; 
 The bows and quivers flrow the field behind, 
 And the rais'd axes cleave the parting wind ; 
 The prince, confeft to every warrior's fight, 
 Infpires each foul and centres all the fight ; -760 
 
 JEach hopes to fnatch him from the kindling pyre, 
 Each fears his breath already flits in fire : 
 While Zamor fpread his thronging fquadrons wide, 
 Wedg'd like a wail and thus the king defied : 
 Hafte ! fon of Light, pour fan: the winged war, 765 
 
 The prince, the dying prince, demands your care ; 
 Hear how his death-fong chides your dull delay, 
 Lift larger ilrides, bend forward to th' affray,. 
 Ere folding flames prevent his ftifled groan-, 
 Child of your beaming God, a victim to our own. 770 
 
 He faid ; and rais'd his fhaggy form on high, 
 And bade the lhafts glide thicker thro' the iky. 
 
 I 3 Like 
 
134 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Like the black billows of the lifted main, 
 
 Rolls into fight the long Peruvian train ; 
 
 A white fail, bounding, on the billows toft, 775 
 
 Is Capac, {biding o'er the furious hoft. 
 
 Now meet the dreadful chiefs, with eyes on fire ; 
 
 Beneath their blows the parting ranks retire: 
 
 In whirlwind-fweep, their meeting axes bound, 
 
 Wheel, cram in air, and plough the' trembling ground ; 780 
 
 Their finewy limbs, in fierce contortions, bend, 
 
 And mutual flrokes, with equal force, defcend ; 
 
 The king fways backward from the ftruggling foe, 
 
 Collects new ftrength, and with a circling blow 
 
 RufhM furious on ; his flinty edge, on highj 785 
 
 Met Zamor's helve, and glancing, cleft his thigh. 
 
 The favage fell when, thro' the tyger-train, 
 
 The driving Inca fwept a widening lane ; 
 
 Whole ranks fail ftaggering, where he lifts his arm, 
 
 Or roll before him like a billowy ftorm ; 790 
 
 Behind his fteps collecting legions clofe, 
 
 While, centred in a circling ridge of foes, 
 
 He drives his furious way ; the prince unties, 
 
 And thus his voice : Dread Sovereign of the fkies, 
 
 Accept my living fon, again beftow'd, 795 
 
 To grace with rites the temple of his God ! 
 
 Move, 
 
BOOK THE TH-IRIX 155 
 
 Move, warriors, move, complete the work begun, 
 Crufh the grim race, avenge the injur'd Sun. 
 
 The favage hoit, that view'd the daring deed, 
 And faw deep fquadrons with their leader bleed, 800 
 
 Rais'd high the fhriek of horror ; all the plain, 
 Is trod with flight and cover'd with the flain. 
 The bold Peruvians circle round the field, 
 Confine their flight,, and bid the relics, yield : 
 While Capac rais'd his placid voice again $05 
 
 Ye conquering hofls, collect the fcatter'd train ; 
 The Sun commands to flay the rage of war, 
 He knows to conquer, but he loves to fparc. 
 
 He ceased ; and, where the favage leader lay 
 Welt'ring in gore, directs his eager way ; 8iO 
 
 Unwraps the tiger's hide, and drives in vaia 
 To clofe the wound, and mitigate the pain ; 
 And, while foft pity mov'd his manly breafi:, 
 'Rais'd the huge head, and thus the chief addrefsM : 
 Too long, dread prince, thy raging arms withftood 8 1$ 
 The hofts of heav'n, and bravM th'avenging God ; 
 His fovereign will commands all ftrife to ceaie, 
 His realm is concord, and his pleafure, peace ; 
 This copious carnage, fpreading all the plain, 
 Infults his bounties, but confirms his reign. 820 
 
 Enough, 'tis paft thy parting breath demands 
 The laft fad office from my^ yielding hands.. 
 
136 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 To fhare thy pains, and feel thy hopelefs woe, 
 Are rites ungrateful to a falling fo ; 
 Yet red in peace; and know, a chief fo brave, 825 
 
 When life departs, fhall find an honour'd grave ; 
 Thefe hands, in mournful pomp, thy tomb fhall rear, 
 And tribes unborn thy haplefs fate declare. 
 r Infult me not with tombs, the favage cried, 
 Let clofing clods thy coward carcafe hide > 830 
 
 But thefe brave bones, unbury'd on the plain, 
 Touch not with dufl, nor dare with rites profane ; 
 Let no curft earth conceal this gory head, 
 Nor fongs proclaim the dreadful Zamor dead. 
 Me, whom the hungry gods, from plairx.to plain, 83^ 
 Have followed, feaftlng on thy flaughter'd train, 
 Me wouldft thou cover ? no ! from yonder fky, 
 The wide-beak'd hawk, that now beholds me die^ 
 Soon, with his cowering train, my flefh fhall tear, 
 And wolves and tygers vindicate their {Kare 840 
 
 Receive, dread Powers ( mce I can ilay no more ) 
 My lafl glad victim, this devoted gore ! 
 
 Thus pourM the vengeful chief his fainting breath, 
 And loft his utterance in the gafp of death. 
 The fad remaining tribes confefs the Power, 845 
 
 That ftieds his bounties round the fav'rite fhorc ; 
 All bow obedient to the Incan throne, 
 And bleft Oella hails her living fon. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 Deftruftun of Peru foretold. Grief of Columbus. He is 
 comforted by a promife of a vi/ion of future ages. All 
 Europe appears in vijion. Effecl of the dif cover y of Ame 
 rica upon the affairs of Europe* Improvement in com 
 merce government. Revival of learning. Order of 
 the Jefuits. Religious persecution* Character of Raleigh ; 
 who plans the fettlement of North- America. Formation 
 of the coaft by the gulph-ftream* Nature of the colonial 
 eflaUifhments. Fleets of fettkrs fleering for America*. 
 
139 
 
 THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS, 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 i 
 
 N one dark age, beneath a fmgle hand, 
 Thus rofe an empire in the favage land. 
 Her golden feats, with following years, increafe, 
 Her growing nations fpread the walks of peace, 
 Her facred rites difplay the pureft plan, 5 
 
 That e'er adorn 'd th'unguided mind of man. 
 
 Yet all the pomp th* extended climes unfold, 
 The fields of verdure and the towers of gold, 
 Thofe works of peace, and fov'reign fcenes of flate, 
 In fhort-liv'd glory haften to their fate. IO 
 
 Thy followers, rufliing like an angry flood, 
 Shall whelm the fields, and ftain the formes in blood ; 
 Nor thou, Las Cafas, * beft of men, (hall ftay 
 The rav'ning legions from their guardlefs prey. 
 
 * Bartholomew de Las Cafas was a Dominican prieft, of a 
 moft amiable and heroic character. He firft went to Hifpaniola 
 with Columbus HI his fecond voyage, where he mamfefted an 
 ardent, but honeft zeal, firft in attempting to ihftruct the natives 
 in. the principles of the catholic faith, and afterwards in defend, 
 
 ing 
 
140 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Oh ! haplefs prelate, hero, faint and fage, 1 5 
 
 Doom'd with hard guilt a fruitlefs war to wage-, 
 
 To fee, with grief (thy life of virtues run) 
 
 A realm unpeopled and a world undone ! 
 
 While impious Valverde *, mock of priefthood flands, 
 
 Guilt in his heart, the gofpel in his hands, 2Q 
 
 ing them againft the infufferable cruelties exercifed by the 
 Spanifh tyrants who fucceeded Columbus in the difcoveries and 
 conquefts in South America. He early declared himfelf the 
 protector of the Indians ; and he devoted himfelf, ever after, to 
 the moft indefatigable labours in their fervice. He mad* feveral 
 voyages to Spain, to folicit, fi.rft from Ferdinand, then from 
 cardinal Ximines, and finally from Charles V, fome effectual 
 reftrictions againft the horrid career of depopulation, which 
 every where attended the Spaniih arms. He followed thefe 
 monfters of cruelty into all the conquered countries ; where, by 
 the power of his eloquence and that purity of morals which 
 commands refpecl: even from the worft of men, he doubtlefs 
 faved the lives of many thoufands of innocent people. His life 
 was a continued ftruggle againft that deplorable fyftem of 
 tyranny, of which he gives a defcription in a treatife addreiTed 
 to Philip, prince of Spain, entitled BreviJJima relation, dda 
 deftruydon Jelas Yndias. 
 
 It is faid by the Spanilh writers, that the inhabitants of Hif- 
 paniola, when firft difcovered by the Spaniards, amounted to 
 more than one million. This incredible population was re 
 duced, in fifteen years, to fixty thoufand fouls. 
 
 * Vincent Valverde was a fanatical priefl who accompanied 
 Pizarro in his definitive expedition to Peru. If we were to 
 fearch the hiftory of mankind, we fliould not find another fo 
 extraordinary an example of the united efforts of ecclefiaftical 
 hypocrify and military ferocity, of unrefifted murder and iufa- 
 tiable plunder, as^we meet with in the account of this expedition. 
 
 Father Valverde, in a formal manner, gave the fanftion of 
 the church to the treacherous murder of At,abalipa and his rela 
 tions ; which was immediately followed by the deftru&ion and 
 almoft entire depopulation of a flourifliing empire. 
 
 Bids 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH, 141 
 
 Bids, in one field, their unarm'd thoufands bleed, 
 
 Smiles o'er the fcene and fan&ifies the deed. 
 
 And thou, brave Gafca *, with thy virtuous train, 
 
 Shalt lift the fword and urge thy power in vain ; 
 
 Vain the late flrife, the finking land to fave, 25 
 
 Or call her flaughter'd millions from the grave. 
 
 The Seraph fpoke. Columbus, with a figh, 
 Gail o'er the haplefs climes his moiften'd eye, 
 And thus returned : Oh, hide me in the tomb ; 
 Why jfhould I live to view th' impending doom ? 30 
 
 Jf fuch dread fcenes the fcheme of Heav'n compofe, 
 And virt'ous toils induce redoubled woes, 
 Unfold no more ; ' but grant a kind releafe, 
 Give me, 'tis all I afk, to reft in peace. 
 
 * Pedro de la Gafca was one of the few men whofe virtues 
 form a fmgular contraft with the vices which difgraced the age 
 in which he lived, and the country in which he acquired his 
 glory. He was fent over to Peru by Charles V, without any 
 military force, to quell the rebellion of the younger Pizarro, and 
 to prevent a fecond depopulation, by a civil war, of that country 
 which had juft been drenched in the blood of its original inha 
 bitants. He eifefted this great purpofe by the weight only of 
 hisperfonal authority, and the veneration infpired by his virtues. 
 As foon as he had fupprefled the rebellion and eftablifhed the 
 government of the colony, he haftened to refign his authority 
 into the hands of his mafter; and, though his victories had been 
 obtained in the richeft country upon earth, he returned to Spain 
 as poor as Cincinnatus ; having refitted every temptation to 
 plunder, and refufed any emolument for his fervices. 
 
 Thy 
 
i4s THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Thy foul fhall reft in peace, the Power rejoin'd, 35 
 Ere thefe conflicting fhades involve mankind : 
 But nobler views mall firfl thy mind engage, 
 Where, far advanc'd beyond this darkfome age, 
 The happier fruits of thy unwearied care, 
 Thro* future years, a grateful world fhall {hare. 40 
 
 Europe's contending kings fhall foon behold 
 Thcfe fertile plains and hills of opening gold ; 
 And in the path of thy advent r rous fail, 
 Their countlefs navies float in every gale, 
 For wealth and commerce, fearch the weflern more, 45 
 And load the ocean with the mining ore. 
 
 As, up the orient heav'n, the dawning ray 
 Smiles o'er the world and gives the promis'd day, 
 Drives fraud and rapine from their nightly fpoil, 
 And focial nature wajces to peaceful toil ; 50 
 
 So, from the blazing mine, the golden ftore 
 Mid warring {rates mall fpread from more to (bore, 
 With new ambition fire their ravifh'd eyes, 
 O'er factious nobles bid the monarch rife, 
 Unite the force of realms, the wealth to fliare, $$ 
 
 Lead larger hofts to milder walks of war ; 
 Wide o'er the world, while genius unconfin'd 
 Tempts happier flights, and opens all the min<i> 
 
 Difiblves 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH. 145 
 
 Diffolves the flavim bands of monkifli lore, 
 
 Awakes the arts, and bids the Mufes (bar. 60 
 
 Then mall thy northern climes their charms difplay, 
 
 United nations there commence their fway ; 
 
 O'er the new world exalt their peeiiefs fame, 
 
 And pay juft tribute to thy deathlefs name. 
 
 Now caft thine eye o'er Europe's various coafl ; 65 
 See factions wild their inland booty boaft ; 
 The naked harbours, looking to the main, 
 Rear their kind cliffs and break the winds in vain, 
 The lab'ring tide no foreign treafures lade, 
 Nor fails nor cities caft a watery {hade; >-Q 
 
 Save, where yon opening gulph the ftrand divides, 
 Proud Venice bathes her in the broken tides, 
 Beholds her fcattering barks around her ftrown, 
 And, fovereign, deems the watery world her own. 
 
 But the firm bondage of the flavifh mind 75 
 
 Spreads deeper glooms, and fubjugates mankind ; 
 The zealots fierce, whom local faiths enrage, 
 In caufelefs ftrife perpetual combat wage, 
 Support all crimes by full indulgence given, 
 Ufurp the power and wield the fword of Heaven. 80 
 
 But lo, where future years their fcenes unroll, 
 The rifing arts infpire the vent'rous foul. 
 
 Behold, 
 
144 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS; 
 
 Behold, from all the opening ports of Spain, 
 
 New fleets afcending on the weftern main ; 
 
 From Tagus' banks, from Albion's rocky round, 85 
 
 Increafing fquadrons o'er the billows bound ; 
 
 Thro* Afric's ifles, obferve the fweeping fails, 
 
 Full pinions tofling in Arabian gales ; 
 
 Indus and Ganges, deep in canvafs, loft, 
 
 Auv navies crouding round each orient coaft ; 90 
 
 New nations rife, all climes and oceans brave, 
 
 And (hade with fheets th' immeafurable wave 
 
 See lofty Ximenes, with folemn gait, 
 
 Move from the cloifler to the walks of ftate, 
 
 4 
 
 And thro' the wafted realms of factious Spain, 95 
 
 Curb the fierce lords, and- fix the royal reign. 
 
 Behold, dread Charles th' imperial feat afcends, 
 
 O'er Europe's climes his conquering arm extends ; 
 
 While wealthier mores, beneath the weftern day, 
 
 Unfold their treafures and enlarge his fway. 100 
 
 See the brave Francis bear his banners round, 
 
 To guard the realms and give his rival bound j 
 
 With equal zeal for boundlefs power contend, 
 
 Of arms the patron, and of arts the friend. 
 
 And fee proud Wolfey rife, fecurely great, 105 
 
 Kings at his call, and mitres round him wait ; 
 
 From 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH* 145 
 
 From monkifli walls, the hoards of wealth he draws, 
 
 To aid the tyrant and reftrain the laws, 
 
 Wakes Albion's genius, abler monarchs braves, 
 
 And fhares with them the empire of the waves. 1 10 
 
 Behold dark Solyman, from eaflern fkies, 
 
 With his grim hoft magnificently rife, 
 
 Extend his limits o'er the Midland fea, 
 
 And tow'rd Germania drive his conquering way, 
 
 Frown o'er the Chriitian powers with haughty air, uj 
 
 And teach the nations how to lead the war. 
 
 While powerful Leo wakes a "nobler flrife, 
 
 And, generous, calls the finer arts to life ; 
 
 New walls and ftru&ures throng the Latian fhore, 
 
 The Pencil triumphs and the Mufes foar. 1 20 
 
 Snatch d from the ground^ where Gothic rage had trod, 
 
 And monks and prelates held their drear abode, 
 
 The Roman ftatues rife ; and wake to view 
 
 The fame bold tafle their ancient glory knew. 
 
 O'er the dark world Er.ifmus cafts his eye, 125 
 
 In fchoolmen's lore fees kings and nations lie, 
 With flrength of judgment and with fancy warm, 
 t)erides their follies, and diflolves the cr&rm, 
 Draws the deep veil, that bigot zeal has thrown 
 O'er pagaa books, and fcience long unknown, 130 
 
 K From 
 
\ 
 146 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 From faith of pageant rites relieves mankind, 
 
 And feats bold virtue in the confcious mind. 
 
 But ftill the daring tafk, to brave alone 
 
 The rifing vengeance of the papal throne, 
 
 Reftrains his toil: he gives the contefl o'er, 13^ 
 
 And leaves his hardier fons to meet the threatening power. 
 
 See Luther rife in yon majeflic frame, 
 Fair light of heav'n, and child of deathjefs fame , 
 Born, like thyfelf, thro* toils and griefs to wind, 
 From flavery's chains to free the captive mind, 140 
 
 Brave adverfe realms, controul the papal fway, 
 And bring benighted nations into day. 
 
 And mark what crowds, his fame around him brings, 
 Schools, fynods, prelates, potentates, and kings, 
 All gaining knowledge from his boundlefs ftore, 145 
 
 And join'd to fhield him from the rage of power i 
 
 Firft of his friends, fee * Frederic's princely form 
 Ward from the fage divine the gathering ftorm ; 
 In learned Wittemburgh fecure his feat, 
 Where arts and virtues find a blefl retreat. 150 
 
 * Frederic of Saxony, furnamed the nvi/e, was the firft fo- 
 vereign prince who favoured the doctrines of Luther. He 
 became at once his pupil and his patron, defended him from the 
 perfecutions of the pope, and gave Jiim an eflablifhment in the 
 univedity of Wittemburgh. 
 
 There 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH. 1-47 
 
 There moves Melanchthon, mild as morning light, 
 
 And rage and ftrife are foften'd in his fight ; 
 
 In terms fb gentle flows his tuneful tongue, 
 
 Ev'n cloifter'd bigots join the liflening throng ; 
 
 By foes and infidels he lives approvM, 155 
 
 By inonarchs courted, * and by Heav'n belov'd. 
 
 With ftern deport, o'er all the circling band, 
 
 See Ofiander lift his waving hand ; 
 
 On others' faults he cafls a haughty frown, 
 
 Nor their's will pardon, nor perceive his own; 160 
 
 A heart fmcere his open looks unfold, 
 
 In virtue faithful, and in action bold. 
 
 And lo, where Europe's utmoft limits bend, 
 From this mild fource what various lights aicend ! 
 
 * Francis I, out of refpecl to the great learning and modera-* 
 tion of Melanchthon, a'nd difregarding the pretended danger of 
 difcufiing the dogmas of the church, invited him to come to 
 France and eftablifh himfeif at Paris ; but the intrigues of the 
 cardinal of Tournon prevented the king's intention trom taking 
 effect 
 
 If every leader of religious feels had poflefTed the amiable 
 qualities of Melanchthon, and every monarch who wiftied: to 
 oppofe the introduction of nevv opinions had partook of the 
 vvifdom of Francis, the blood of many hundreds of millions of 
 the human fpecies, which has flowed at the fhrine of fanaticifm, 
 would have been (pared. This circumftance alone would have 
 made of human fociety by this time a ftate totally different from 
 what it is at prefent ; and its influence on the progrefs of im 
 provement in national happinefs would have beeji beyond our 
 calculation. 
 
 Ka &e 
 
148 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 See haughty Henry, from the papal tie 165 
 
 His realms difmember, and the power defy ; 
 While Albion's fons difdain a foreign throne, 
 And bravely bound th' opprefiion of his own. 
 
 There flarts fierce Loyola, an unknown name, 
 By paths unfeen to reach the goal of fame ; 170 
 
 Thro' courts and camps, by fecret {kill, to wind, 
 To mine whole ftates and over-reach mankind. 
 Train'd to his lore, a bold and artful race, 
 Range thro' the world, and every feel: embrace, 
 All creeds, and powers, and policies explore, 175 
 
 Their feats of fcience raife on every fhore, 
 Till a wide empire gains a wond'rous birth, 
 Built in all empires o'er the peopled earth. 
 Led by thy followers to the wellern day, 
 O'er native tribes they form a fov'reign fway, 180 
 
 Where Paraguay's mild realms their wealth increafe, 
 And happy millions learn the arts of peace. 
 
 Thus all the race of men, beneath thy view, 
 Improve their ftate and nobler toils purfue ; 
 Unwonted deeds, in rival greatnefs, fhine, 1 85 
 
 Call'd into life, and firft infpir'd by thine. 
 So, while imperial Homer tunes the lyre, 
 
 The living lays unnumber'd Lards infpire, 
 
 ' 
 
 From 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH. 149 
 
 From realm to realm the kindling fpirit flies, 
 
 Sounds thro' the earth and echoes to the {kies. 190 
 
 Now move, in rapid hafte, the years of time, 
 When, borne afar from Europe's cultur'd clime, 
 Thy fav'rite fons (hall reach the weftern flrand, 
 Where a new empire waits their forming hand. 
 To fpeed their courfe, the fons of bigot rage, 195 
 
 In perfecution whelm th' enquiring age ; 
 Millions of martyr'd heroes mount the pyre, 
 And blind devotion lights the facred fire. 
 Led by the dark Inquifitors of Spain, 
 See defolation mark her dreary reign ! 200 
 
 See Jews and Moors, that crowd the. fatal flrand, 
 Roll in the flames, or flee the hated land ! 
 See, arm'd with power, the fame tribunal rife, 
 Where haplefs Belgia's fruitful circuit lies ; 
 What wreaths of fmoke roll heavy round the fliore ! 2O 
 What fhrines and altars flow with Chriftian gore ! 
 Where the flames open, lo ! their arms, in vain, 
 Reach out for help, diftorted with the pain ! 
 Till, folded in the fires, they difappear, 
 And not a found invades the ftartled ear. 21O 
 
 See Philip, thron'd in infolence and pride, 
 Enjoy theif waitings, and their pangs decide ; 
 
 K 3 - While, 
 
i^o THE VISION OF COLUMBUS' 
 
 While, fcattering death round Albion's crimfon ifles, 
 
 O'er the fame fcenes his cruel confort fmiles. 
 
 Amid the ftrife, a like deftruclion reigns, 215 
 
 With wider fvveep, o'er Gallia's fatal plains j 
 
 There factious nobles pour the flaughtering tide, 
 
 Grim death unites _whom facred creeds divide ; 
 
 Each dreadful victor bids the flames arife, 
 
 And waft a thoufand murders to the ikies. 220 
 
 Now ceafe the factions, with the Valois line, 
 And the great Bourbon's liberal virtues fhine ; 
 Quell'd by his voice, the furious feels accord, 
 And diflant empires tremble at his fword, 
 Britannia fondling views, with glad furprife, 225 
 
 A rival reign, , in bleft Eliza, rife ; 
 While Belgians hofts to independence foar, 
 And curb the vengeance of th' Iberian power, 
 
 Now from all realms, where {haded plains extend, 
 Se'e the bent forefls to the (hores defcend. 230 
 
 From Albion's firand, behold the navies heave, 
 Stretch in a line, and thunder o'er the wave ; 
 There toils brave Howard, mafter of the main, 
 And moves in triumph o'er the force of Spain, 
 
 The Seraph fpoke ; when fair beneath their eye, 235 
 A new-form'd fcjuadrqn rofe along the Iky ; 
 
 High 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH. 151 
 
 High on the tailed deck majeilic fhone 
 
 Great Raleigh, pointing tow'rd the weftern fun ; 
 
 His eye, bent forward, ardent and fublime, 
 
 Seem'd piercing nature and evolving time ; 240 
 
 Befide him ftood a globe, whofe figures trac'd 
 
 A future empire in each wilder M'wafte ; 
 
 All former works of men behind him /hone, 
 
 Grav'd by his hand in ever-during ftone ; 
 
 On his mild brow a various crown difplays 245 
 
 The hero's laurel and the fcholar's bays ; 
 
 His graceful limbs in fteely mail were dreft, 
 
 The bright flar burning on his manly breafl ; 
 
 His fword high-beaming, like a waving fpire, 
 
 Illum'd the fhrouds and flafh'd the folar fire ; 250 
 
 The fmiling crew rofe refolute and brave, 
 
 And the glad fails hung bounding o'er the wave. 
 
 Far on the main they held their rapid flight, 
 And weilern coafts falute trSr longing fight : 
 Glad Chefapeak unfolds a paflage wide, 255 
 
 And leads their dreamers up the frefh'ning tide ; 
 Where a mild region and delightful foil, 
 And groves and ftreams, allure the ileps of toil. 
 Here, lodg'd in peace, they tread the welcome land, 
 An inftant harveft waves beneath their hand, 260 
 
 K 4 Spontaneous 
 
i$ THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Spontaneous fruits their eafy cares beguile, 
 And opening fields in living culture fmile. 
 
 With joy Colombus view'd ; when thus his voice : 
 Ye beauteous ihores and generous hofls, rejoice ! 
 Here ftretch the water'd plains and midland tide, 265 
 
 And nature blooms in all her virgin pride ; 
 And now the years advance, fo long foretold, 
 When the deep wilds their promis'd change behold, 
 Be thou, my Seer, the people's guardian friend, 
 Protect their virtues, and their lives defend; 270 
 
 May wealth and vvifdom, with their arts, unfold, 
 Yet fave, oh, favc them from the third of gold ! 
 May the poor natives, round the guardlefs climes, 
 Ne'er feel their rage, nor groan beneath their crimes ; 
 But learn the various bleffings, that extend, 27^ 
 
 Where civil rights and focial virtues blend, 
 In thefe brave leaders find a income guide, 
 And rear their fanes and empires by their fide. 
 Smile, happy region, fmile ; the ftar of morn 
 Illumes thy heav'ns, and bids thy day be born ; 280 
 
 Thy op'ning forefts fhow the work begun, 
 Thy plains, unmaded, drink a purer fun , 
 Unwonted navies on thy currents glide, 
 .And new-found treafures roll on every tide ; 
 
 Yield 
 
BOOK THE FOURTH. 1^5 
 
 Yield now thy bounties, load the diftant main, 285 
 
 Give birth to nations, and begin thy reign. 
 
 The Hero .fpoke ; when thus the Power rejoiii'd, 
 Approv'd his joy, and feailed Hill his mind : 
 To thy warm wifh, beneath thefe opening fkies, 
 The pride of earth-born empires foon {hall rile. 293 
 
 My powerful arm, to which the talk was given, 
 On this fair globe to work the will qf Heaven, 
 To rear the mountain, fpread the fubje6fc plain, 
 Lead the long ftream, and roll the billowy main, 
 In every clime prepar'd the feats of ftate, 295 
 
 JDefign'd their limits and prefcrib'd their date, 
 To meet thefe tides, I ftretch'd the level flrand, 
 Heav'd the green banks, and taught the groves to (land, 
 Strow'd the wild fruitage, gave the beafts their place, 
 And form'd the region for thy kindred race. 300 
 
 At nature's birth when nrft the watery round, 
 And folid lands their blending borders found ; 
 Back to thofe diflant hills, whofe vapour fhrouds, 
 A n>ck-rais'd world in AUeganian clouds, 
 Th' Atlantic wave its coral kingdoms fpread, 305 
 
 And fcaly nations here their gambols led. 
 By flow degrees, thro' following years of time, 
 J bar'd thefe realms * and rais'd the fedgy clime ; 
 
 * Among the various mutations, which appear to have taken 
 place in different parts of the eatth, the formation of the coaft 
 
 of 
 
154 THfc VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 As, from retiring feas, the rifing fand 
 
 Stole into light, and gently drew to land. 310 
 
 Mov'd by the winds, that fweep the flaming zone. 
 The waves roll weflward with the confbnt fun, 
 Meet the firm Ifthmus, fcoop that gulphy bed, 
 Wheel tow'rd the north, and here their currents fpread. 
 Thofe ravag'd banks, that move beneath their force, 3 1 5 
 Borne on the tide and loft along the courfe, 
 Have form'd this beauteous more, by Heav'n defign'd 
 The happieit empire that awaits mankind. 
 
 Think not the luft of gold fhall here annoy, 
 Enflave the nations, and the race deftroy. 320 
 
 No ufelefs mine thefe northern hills enclofe, 
 No ruby ripens, and no diamond glows ; 
 
 of North- America by the gulph-ftream, is one of the mofl re 
 markable. The riling of fand-banks, which are perpetually 
 increasing along the fhores of Virginia and the Carolinas the 
 Jayers of fea-fhells and pieces of wood, which are found at the 
 depth of forty or fifty feet below the furface, at the diftance of 
 a hundred miles from the fea, in the middle and fouthern 
 States the level and uniform appearance of the country, from 
 New-Jerfey to Eaft-Florida and the vail cavity which appears 
 to have been fcooped out of the earth, to form the gulph of 
 Mexico, are circumftances which eftablifh the above as an un- 
 'doubted fact. It is evident, that, not only the illand cf New 
 foundland, Cape-Cod, &c. but the greater part of the fettled 
 country, from the river Delaware to Cape St. Augufline, is an 
 accretion of earth, worn off from the Ifthmus of Darien, and 
 brought hither by that ftrong current of water which follows the 
 trade winds ; and, which, meeting the obftruction of the 
 Ifthmus, takes a northern direction, and-fweeps the coaii as 
 far as the river St. Laurence. 
 
 But 
 
B00 THE FOURTH. 155 
 
 But richer ftores, and rocks of ufeful mould, 
 
 Repay, in wealth, the penury of gold. 
 
 Freedom's unconquer'd fons, with healthy toil, 325 
 
 Shall lop the grove, and warm the furrow'd foil, 
 
 From iron ridges break the rugged ore, 
 
 And plant with men the man-enobling fhore ; 
 
 While fails, and towers, and temples round them heave, 
 
 Shine o'er the realms, and {hade the diflant wave. 330 
 
 Nor think the native tribes, thefe wilds that trace, 
 
 A foe fhall find in this exalted race j 
 
 In fouls like theirs, no mean ungenerous aim 
 
 Can fha.de their glories with the deeds of fhame ; 
 
 Nor low deceit, weak mortals to enfnare, 335 
 
 Nor bigot zeal to urge the barb'rous war. 
 
 From eaftern tyrants driv'n, and nobly brave, 
 
 To build new flates, or feek a diftant grave, 
 
 The generous hoft with proffer'd leagues of peace, 
 
 Approach thefe climes, and hail the favage race ; 340 
 
 Pay the juft purchafe for th'uncultur'd (hore, 
 
 Diffufe their arts, and mare the friendly power ; 
 
 While the dark tribes in focial aid combine, 
 
 Exchange their treafures and their joys refine. 
 
 O'er Europe's wilds, when firft the nations fpread, 345 
 The pride of concrueft every legion led. 
 
 Each 
 
156 THE VISION OF CO-LUMBUSx 
 
 Each powerful chief, by fervile crowds ador'd, 
 
 O'er conquer'd realms affum'd the name of lord, 
 
 Built the proud caftle, rang'd the favage wood, 
 
 Fir'd his grim hoft to frequent fields of Wood, 350 
 
 With new-made honours lur'd his fubjecl: bands, 
 
 Price of their lives, and purchafe of their lands ; 
 
 For names and titles bade the world refign 
 
 Their faith, their freedom, and their rights divine. 
 
 Thus haughty baronies their terrors fpread, 355 
 
 And ilavery folio w'd where the ftandard led ; 
 Till, little tyrants by the great overthrown , 
 Contending nobles give the regal crown ; 
 "Wealth, wifdom, virtue, every claim of man, 
 Unguarded fall to form the finifh'd plan : 360 
 
 Ambitious cares, that nature never gave, 
 Warm the flarv'd peafant, fire the fceptred flave ; 
 Thro' all degrees, in gradual pomp, afcend, 
 Honour, the name, and Tyranny, the end. 
 
 But nobler honours here the breaft inflame ; $&$ 
 
 Sublimer views, and deeds of happier fame ; 
 A new creation waits the weftern fhore, 
 And reafon triumphs o'er the pride of power. 
 Thy free-born fons, with genius unconfin'd, 
 Nor floth can poifon, ncr a tyrant bind k ; 370 
 
 With 
 
.'BOOK. THE FOURTH. 157 
 
 With felf-wrought fame and worth internal blefc, 
 
 No venal ftar {hail brighten on their bread ; 
 
 No king- created name or courtly art 
 
 Damp the bold thought, or fway the changing heart. 
 
 Above all fraud, beyond all titles great, 3715 
 
 Heav'n in their foul, and fceptres at their feet, 
 
 Like fires of unborn realms , they move fublime, 
 
 Look empires thro', and pierce the veil of time, 
 
 Hold o'er the world, that men may choofe from far 
 
 The palm of peace, or fcourge of barb'rous war ; 380 
 
 Till arts and laws in one great fyflem bind, 
 
 By leagues of peace, the labours of mankind. 
 
 But flow proceeds the plan. Long toils remain, 
 Ere thy bleft children can begin their reign. 
 That daring leader, whofe exalted foul 385 
 
 Pervades all fcenes that future years unroll, 
 Muft yeild the palm ; and at a courtier's flirine, 
 His fame, his freedom, and his life refign. 
 That feeble train, the lonely wilds who tread, 
 Their fire, their genius, in their Raleigh dead, 3 O 
 
 Shall pine and perifh in the frowning gloom, 
 Or mount the wave and feek their ancient home. 
 Succeeding hofts in vain the tafk purfue, 
 The dangers tempt, and all the ftrife renew ; 
 
 While 
 
158 THE^VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 While kings and courtiers flill negledl the plan, 39 
 
 The ilaves of eafe and enemies of man. 
 At laft brave Delaware his hardy hoft 
 
 Leads in full triumph to the well-known coaft, 
 
 Aids with a liberal hand the patriot caufe, 
 
 Begins the culture, and defigns their laws ; 400 
 
 Till o'er Virginia's plains they fix their fway, 
 
 And fpread their hamlets tow'rd the fetting day, 
 
 While impious Laud, on England's wafted fhore, 
 Renews the flames that Mary rear'd before, 
 Unnumber'd fe&s his fullen fury fly, 403 
 
 To feek new feats beneath another fky ; 
 Where faith and freedom fpread th'alluring charm, 
 And toils and dangers, every bofom warm. 
 Amid th'unconquer'd, venerable train, 
 Whom tyrants prefs and feas oppofe in vain, 410 
 
 See virtuous Baltimore afcend the wave, 
 See heav'n-taught Penn its unknown terrors brave, 
 Sweeds, Belgians, Gauls, their various flags difplay, 
 Full pinions crowding on the watery way; 
 All from their difPrent fliores, their fails unfurl'd, 415 
 Point their glad dreamers to the weftern world 
 
 THF, 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 confined to North America. Progress cf the fettle* 
 ments. General invafan of the natives. Their defeat. 
 Settlement of Canada. Invajion of \the French* Brad- 
 dock's defeat. Wafh'mgton faves the Englijh army. 
 AcJions of Abercrombie, Amherft, and Wolfe, Peace. 
 Darknefs overfhadcs the continent. Apprehenjions of 
 Columbus from that appearance. Caufe explained. Cloud 
 ifitrfts away in the centre. View of Congrefs* Inva/ion. 
 of the Englifh. - Conflagration of towns, from Falmouth 
 to Norfolk. Battle of Bunker-hill, viewed through the 
 fmoke. American army ajjcmbles. Speech of 'Wafh'mgton. 
 Afiions and death of Montgomery. AcJions o 
 ton+ Approach and capture of Burgoyne. 
 
^ THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK V. 
 
 C^OLUMBUS hail'd them with a father's fmile, 
 Fruits of his cares and children of his toil ; 
 "With tears of joy while flill his eyes defcried 
 Their courfe adventurous o'er the diftant tide. 
 Thus, when o'er delug'd earth her Seraph flood, 5 
 
 The toft ark bounding on the fhorelefe flood, 
 The facred treafure claim'd his guardian view, 
 While climes unnotic'd in the wave withdrew. 
 He faw his fav 'rites reach the rifing ftrand, 
 Leap from the wave, and mare the joyous land; 10 
 
 Receding forefts yield the heroes room, 
 And opening wilds with fields and gardens bloom. 
 Fill'd with the glance ecftatic, all his foul 
 Now feems unbounded with the fcene tQ roll, 
 And now, impatient, with retorted eye, 15 
 
 Perceives his ftation in another fky : 
 
 L Waft 
 
ibz THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Waft me, O winged Angel, waft me o'er, 
 With thofe bleit heroes, to the happy more ; 
 There let me live and die ! but all appears 
 A fleeting vifion ! thefe are future years. 20 
 
 Yet grant in nearer view the climes may fpread, 
 And my glad fteps may feem their walks to tread ; 
 While eaftern coafts and kingdoms, wrapp'd in night, 
 Arife no more to intercept the fight. 
 
 The hero fpoke ; the Angel's powerful hand 25 
 
 Moves brightening o'er the vifionary land ; 
 The height, that bore them, (till fublimer grew, 
 And earth's whole circuit fettled from their view : 
 A dufky deep, ferene as breathlefs even, 
 Seem'd vaulting downward like another heaven ; 30 
 
 The fun, rejoicing on his weftern way, 
 Stamp'd his fair image in th'inverted day : 
 When now th' Atlantic ihores arofe more nigh, 
 And life and action nll'd the Hero's eye. 
 Where the dread Laurence breaks his paflage wide, 35 
 Where Miflifippi's milder currents glide, 
 Where midland realms their fwelling mountains heave, 
 And flope their champaigns to the diflant wave, 
 On the green banks, and o'er the woodland plain, 
 Move into fight the happieft walks of man. 40 
 
 The 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. ^3 
 
 The placid ports, that break the billowing gales, 
 
 Rear their tall marts and ftretch their whitening fails ; 
 
 Full harvefts wave, the groves with fruitage bend, 
 
 And bulwarks heave, and fpiry domes afcend j 
 
 All the rich works of peace in fplendor rife, ^ 
 
 And grateful earth repays the bounteous ikies. 
 
 Till war invades ; when opening vales difclofe, 
 
 In moving crowds, the favage tribes of foes ; - 
 
 High-tufted quills their painted foreheads prefs, 
 
 Dark fpoils of beads their fhaggy fhculders drefs, TO 
 
 The. bow bent forward, for the combat ftrung, 
 
 The ax, the quiver, on the girdle hung j 
 
 The d^ep difcordant yelis convulfe. the air, 
 
 And the wild wade r .-founds approaching war. 
 
 The Hero look'd ; and every darken'd height $c 
 
 Pours down the dulky fquadrons to the fight. 
 Where Kennebec's high fource forfakes the fky, 
 Where deep Champlain's extended waters lie, 
 Where the bold Hudfon leads his fhad'wy tide, 
 Where Kaatfkill-heights the azure vault divide, 60 
 
 Where the dim Alleganies range fublime, 
 And give their ftreams to every diftant clime, 
 The fwarms defcended, like an evening {hade, 
 And wolves and vultures follow'd where they fpread. 
 
 L * Thus 
 
164 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Thus when a ftorm, on eaftern pinions driven, 65 
 
 Meets the firm Andes in the midft of heaven, 
 The clouds convulfe, the torrents pour amain, 
 And the black waters fweep the fubjetSt plain. 
 
 Thro' cultur'd fields the bloody myriads fpread, 
 Sack the lone village, ftrow the ftreets with dead ; 70 
 
 The flames afpire, the fmoky volumes rife, 
 And fhrieks and fliouts redouble round the ikies ; 
 Fair babes and matrons in their domes expire, 
 Or buril their paffage thro' the folding fire ; 
 O'er woods and plains promifcuous rave along 75 
 
 The yelling victors and the driven throng ; 
 The flreams run purple ; all the peopled fliore 
 Is wrapp'd in flames and trod with fleps of gore. 
 Till numerous hofts, collecting from afar, 
 Exalt the ftandard and oppofe the war, 80 
 
 Point their loud thunders on the fliouting foe, 
 And brave the fhafted terrors of the bow. 
 When, like a broken wave, the favage train 
 Lead back the flight and fcatter o'er the plain, 
 Slay their weak captives, leave their fhafts in hafte, 85 
 Forget their fpoils, and fcour the diftant wade, 
 From wood to wood in wild confufion hurl'd, 
 Sweep o'er the heights and lakes, far thro' the wilder'd world. 
 
 Now 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 165 
 
 Now move fecure the cheerful toils of peace, 
 New temples rife and fruitful fields increafe. 90 
 
 Where Delaware's wide waves behold with pride 
 Perm's beauteous town afcending on\heir fide, 
 The crofting ilreets in juft arrangement run, 
 The walls and pavements fparkle to the fun. 
 Like that fam'd city rofe the beauteous plan, 95 
 
 Whofe fpacious bounds Semiramis began ; 
 Long ages finim'd what her hand defign'd, 
 The pride of kings and wonder of mankind. 
 
 Where lab'ring Hudfon's glaffy current {trays, 
 York's growing walls their fplendid turrets raife ; rco 
 
 Albania towering o'er the diftant wood, 
 Rolls her rich treafures on his parent flood ; 
 Bleft in her circling ftreams young Newport laves, 
 And Boiton opens o'er the fubjecl: waves ; 
 On fouthern fhores, where warmer currents glide, 105 
 The banks bloom gay, and cities grace their fide ; 
 Like morning clouds, that tinge their fkirts with day, 
 Bright Charlefton's domes their rifing roofs difplay, 
 
 Thro' each extended realm, in wifdom great, 
 Elected fires affume the cares of ftate ; no 
 
 Long robes of purefl white their forms infold, 
 And rights and charters flame in figur'd gol4. 
 
 L 3 Difpenfing 
 
1 66 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Difpenfing juftice to the train below, 
 
 Peace in their voice and firmnefs on their brow, 
 
 They ftretch o'er all the fame paternal hand, 115 
 
 Drive titled ilavery from the joyous land, 
 
 Bid arts and culture, wealth and wifdom, rife, 
 
 Friends of mankind and fav'rites of the ikies. 
 
 Now round the glade where lordly Laurence {trays, 
 Great Gallia's fons their forts & villas raife, 120 
 
 Thro' cold Canadia ftretch a growing fway, 
 And, circling far beneath the wcftern day, 
 Bid Louifania's milder clime prepare 
 New arts to prove, and infant ftates to rear ; 
 While the far lakes, that thro' the midland fprcad, 125 
 Unfold their channels to the paths of trade, 
 Ohio's wave its deftin'd honours claim, - , : u i: 
 
 And fmile, as confcious of approaching fame. 
 
 But foon their warlike baiks arife in fight, 
 White flags difplay'd, and armies rob'd in white, 130 
 
 Through midland wilds extend their toils afar, 
 And threat th' Atlantic realms with wafting war. 
 Where proud Quebec exalts her rocky feat, 
 They range their camp and fpread the frowning fleet, 
 Ofwego rifes o'er his frighted flood, 135 
 
 And wild Ontario fwells beneath his load. 
 
 And 
 
FIFTH. 167 
 
 And now a friendly hoft, from Albion's ftrand, 
 Arrives to aid the young colonial band ; 
 They join their force ; and, tow'rd the falling day, 
 Impetuous Braddock leads their dreadful way ; 140 
 
 O'er Allegany-heights, like ftreams of fire, 
 The red flags wave and glittering arms afpire, 
 To meet the favage hordes, who there advance, 
 Their wafting bands to join the arms of France. 
 
 Near broad Ohio, where, its flag unfuiTd, 145 
 
 A Gallic fortrefs awes the weftern world, 
 The Britons bend their march ; the hofts within 
 Behold their danger, and the ftrife begin. 
 From the full burfling gates the fweeping train, 
 Pour forth the war and hide the founding plain ; 150 
 
 The batteries blaze, the moving vollles pour, 
 The muddering vales and echoing mountains roar ; 
 Clouds of convolving fmoke the welkin fpread, 
 The champaign mrouding in fulphurious made. 
 Loft in the rocking thunder's loud career, 155 
 
 No (houts or groans invade the Hero's ear, 
 Nor vaFrous feats are feen, nor flight, nor fail; 
 While deep-furrounding darknefs buries all. 
 
 Till, driv'n by rifing winds, the clouds withdrew ; 
 The fpreading flanghter open'd to his view. 1 63 
 
 L 4 He 
 
*68 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 He faw the BritiiTi leader borne afar, 
 
 In duft and gore, beyond the wings of war ; 
 
 Saw the long ranks of foes his hofc furround, 
 
 His chiefs confus'd, his fquadrons prefs the ground ; 
 
 As, hemm'd on every fide, the trembling train, 16^ 
 
 Nor dare the fight, nor can they flee the plain. 
 
 But, while conflicting tumult thinn'd the hoft, 
 
 Their flags, their arms, in wild confufion toft, 
 
 Bold in the midft a blooming warrior (Irode, 
 
 And tower'd undaunted o'er the field of blood, . 170 
 
 In defp'rate toils, with rifing vengeance burn'd, 
 
 And the pale Britons hrighten'd where he turn'd. 
 
 So, when thick vapours veil the evening fky. 
 
 And ftarry hofts in half-feen luftre fly, 
 
 Bright Hefper {tunes o'er all the twinkling crowd, 175 
 
 And gives new fplendor thro' the opening cloud. 
 
 Fair on a fiery fteed fublime he rofe, 
 Wedg'd the firm files to pierce the line of foes ; 
 Then wav'd his gleamy fword, that flaih'd the day, 
 And thro' dread legions hew'd the rapid way : 1 80 
 
 His hofts roll forward, like an angry flood, 
 Sweep ranks away, and fmear their paths in blood ; 
 The hovering foes purfue the ftrife afar, 
 
 fhower their balls along the flying war j 
 
 Whei} 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. v 169 
 
 When the brave leader turns his fweeping force, 185 
 
 Points the flight forward, fpeeds his backward courfe ; 
 The French fly fcattering where his arm is wheel'd, 
 And the glad Britons quit the fatal field. 
 
 While thefe fierce toils the penfive chief defcried, 
 With anxious thought he thus addrefs'd the Guide : 
 Why combat here the trans-atlantic bands, 
 And ftrow their corfes o'er thefe pathlefs lands ? 
 Can Europe's realms, the feat of endlefs ftrife, 
 Afford no trophies for the wafte of life ! 
 Can monarchs there no proud applaufes gain, 195 
 
 No living laurel for their fubjedfcs flain ? 
 Nor Belgia's plains, fo fertile made with gore, 
 Hide heroes' bones nor feaft the vultures more ? 
 Danube and Rhine no more their currents flain, 
 Nor fweep the flaughter'd myriads to the main, 200 
 
 That infant empires here the rage muft feel, N 
 And thefe pure ftreams with foreign carnage fwell ? 
 
 The Power reply'd : In each fuccemve age, 
 Their different views thy varying race engage. 
 Here roll the years, when Albion's parent hand, 205 
 
 Leagu'd with thy children, guards th' invaded land ; 
 That growing ftates their veteran force may train, 
 And nobler toils in later fields fuftain, 
 
 When 
 
1 70 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 When foes more furious crofs the well-known wave, 
 
 The realms to ravage and the race enflave. 210 
 
 Here toils dread Albion with the fons of Gaul; 
 
 Here haplefs Bradclock finds his deftin'd fall ; 
 
 Brave Washington, in that young martial frame, 
 
 From yon loft field begins a life of fame. 
 
 'Tis he, in future fcrife and darker days, 215 
 
 Defponding ftates to fovereign rule fhall raife, 
 
 When the weak empire in his arm, fhall find 
 
 The fword, the fliield, the bulwark of mankind. 
 
 The Seraph fpoke ; when thro' the purpled air 
 The northern armies fpread the flames of war : 2 20 
 
 O'er dim Champlain, and thro' furrounding groves, 
 Rafii Abercr6mbie, mid his thoufands, moves 
 To fierce unequal ftrife ; the batteries roar, 
 Shield the ftrong foes, and rake the banner'd fhore ; 
 Britannia's troops again the conteffc yield, 225 
 
 And heaps of carnage ftrow the fatal field. 
 
 But happier Amherfl, on Acadia's ifle, 
 Leads a bold fquadren, and renews the toil ; 
 Young W r olfe, befide him, points the lifted lance, 
 The boail of Albion and the fcourge of France. 230 
 
 The tide of vict'ry here the heroes turn, 
 And Gallic navies in their harbours burn ; 
 
 High 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 171 
 
 High flame the (hips, the billows fwell with gore, 
 And the red fhndard fhades the conqner'cl ihore. 
 
 And lo, a Britilli hoft, unbounded fpread, 235 
 
 O'er fea-like Laurence, cads a moving {hade ; 
 They Item the leflening tide ; till Abr'ham's height 
 And dread Quebec rofe frowning into fight. 
 They tread the fhore, the arduous connicl: claim, 
 Rife the tall mountain, like a rolling flame, 240 
 
 Stretch their wide wings in circling onfet far, 
 And move to fight, as clouds of heav'n at war. 
 The frnoke falls folding thro' the downward fkv, 
 And ihrouds the mountain from the Hero's eye ; 
 While on the burning top, in open day, 245 
 
 The flaihing fwords, in fiery arches, play. 
 As on a ridgy ftorrn, in terrors driven, 
 The forky flames curl round the vault of heaven, 
 The thunders break, the burfting torrents flow, 
 And flood the air, and whelm the hills below ; 250 
 
 Or, as on plains of light, when Michael flrovc, 
 And fwords of Cherubim to combat move ; 
 Ten thoafand fiery forms together play, 
 And flafli new lightning on empyreal day. 
 
 Long rag'd prornifcuous combat, half conceal'd, 255 
 When fudden parle fufpended all the field j 
 
 Thick 
 
 r 
 
i;2 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Thick^groans fucceed, the fmoke forfakes the plain, 
 
 And the high hill is topp'd with heaps of flain. 
 
 Now, proud in air, the Britim ftandard wav'd, 
 
 And fhouting hofls proclaimed a country fav'd ; 260 
 
 While, calm and iilent, where the ranks retire, 
 
 He faw brave Wolfe, in pride of youth, expire. 
 
 So the pale moon, when morning beams arife, 
 
 Veils her lone vifage in the filent fkies; 
 
 Requir'd no more to drive the (hades away, 265 
 
 Nor waits to view the glories of the day. 
 
 Again the towns afpire, the cultur'd field 
 And blooming vale their copious treafures yield ; 
 The grateful hind his cheerful labour proves, 
 And fongs of triumph fill the warbling groves ; 270 
 
 The confcious fiocks, returning joys that fhare, 
 Spread thro' the midland, o'er the walks of war : 
 When, borne on eaftern winds, dark vapours rife, 
 And fail and lengthen round the weftern Ikies, 
 Veil all the vifion from the hero's fight, 275 
 
 And wrap the climes in univerfai night. 
 
 Columbus griev'd, and thus befought the Power : 
 Why finks the fcene ? or muft I view no more ? 
 Muft here the fame of that fair world defcend, 
 And my brave children find fa foon their end ? 280 
 
 Where 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 173 
 
 Where then the word of Heaven, " thy foul fhall fee 
 " That half mankind fhail owe their blifs to thee ? " 
 
 The Power replied : Ere long, in happier view, 
 The realms (hall brighten, and thy joys renew. 
 The years advance, when, round the thronging fhore, 285 
 They rife confus'd to change the fource of power ; 
 When Albion's Prince, who fway'd the happy land, 
 Shall ftretch, to lawlefs rule, the fovere-ign hand , 
 To bind in flavery's chains the peaceful hoft, 
 Their rights unguarded, and their charters loft. 290 
 
 Now raife thine eye ; from this delufive claim, 
 What glorious deeds adorn their growing fame ! 
 
 Columbus look'd ; and ftill around them fpread, 
 From fouth to north, th' immeafurable {hade ; 
 At laft the central ihadows burft -away, 29^ 
 
 And rifing regions open'd on the day. ' 
 Once more, bright Delaware's delightful ftream, 
 And Penn's throng'd city caft a cheerful gleam ; 
 The dome of ftate, that met his eager eye, 
 Now heav'd its arches in a loftier fky ; 300 
 
 The burfling gates unfold ; and lo, within, 
 Th' aflembled ftates, in youthful glory, ihine. 
 
 High on the foremoft feat, in living light, 
 Majeftic Randolph caught the Hero's fight : 
 
 He . 
 
i 7 4 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 He opes the caufe, and points in profpeft far, 305 
 
 Thro* all the toils that wait th'impending war 
 
 But, haplefo fage, thy reign mnft foon be o'er, 
 
 To lend thy luflre and to fhine no more. 
 
 So the bright morning-ftar, from fhades of even, 
 
 Leads up the dawn, and lights the front of heaven, 310 
 
 Points to the waking world the fan's broad way, 
 
 Then veils his own, and mines above the day. 
 
 And fee great Wafhington behind thee rife, 
 
 Thy following fun, to gild our morning Ikies ; 
 
 O'er fhadowy climes to pour th' enlivening flame, 315 
 
 The charms of freedom and the fire of fame. 
 
 For him the patriot bay beheld, with pride, 
 
 The hero's laurel fpringing by its fide ; 
 
 His fword hung ufelefs on his graceful thigh, 
 
 On Britain ftill he caft a filial eye; 320 
 
 But fovereign fortitude his vifage bore, 
 
 To meet their legions on th' invaded more. 
 Sage Franklin next arofe, in cheerful mien, 
 
 And fmil'd, unruffled, o'er the folemn fcene ; 
 
 High on his locks of age a wreath was brac'd, 325 
 
 Palm of all arts, that e'er a mortal grac'd ; 
 
 Beneath him lies the fceptre kings have borne, , 
 
 And crowns and laurels from their temples torn. 
 
 Nafh, 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 175 
 
 Nam, Rutledge, Jefferfon, in council great, 
 
 And Jay and Laurens, op'd the rolls of fate ; 330 
 
 O'er climes and kingdoms turn'd their ardent eyes, 
 
 Bade all th' opprefs'd to fpeedy vengeance rife ; 
 
 All powers of ftate, in their extended plan, 
 
 Rife from confent, to fnield the rights of man. 
 
 Bold Wolcott urg'd the all-important caufe ; 335 
 
 Witli fteady hand the folemn fcene he draws ; 
 
 Undaunted firmnefs with his wifdom join'd, 
 
 Nor kings nor worlds could warp his ftedfafl mind. 
 
 Here, graceful rifing from his purple throne, 
 In radiant robes, immortal Hofmer {hone ; 340 
 
 Morals and laws expand his liberal foul, 
 Beam from his eyes, and in his accents roll. 
 But lo, an unfeen hand the curtain drew, 
 And fnatch'd the patriot from the hero's view ; 
 Wrapp'd in the fhroud of death, he fees defcend 345 
 
 The guide of nations and the Mufes' friend. 
 Columbus dropp'd a tear ; the Angel's eye 
 Trac'd the freed fpirit mounting thro' the iky. 
 
 Each generous Adams, Freedom's fav'rite pair, 
 Unmaken flood the tyrant's rage to dare -, 3^Q 
 
 Each in his hand colonial charters bore, 
 And lawlefs acts of miniflerial power j 
 
 Some 
 
176 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Some injur'd right in every page appears, 
 
 A king in terrors and a land in tears ; 
 
 From all the guileful plots the veil they drew, 355 
 
 With eye retortive look'd creation thro', 
 
 Op'd the wide range of nature's boundlefs plan, 
 
 Trac'd all the fteps of liberty and man ; 
 
 Crowds rofe to vengeance while their accents rung, 
 
 And INDEPENDENCE thunder'd from their tongue. 360 
 
 The Hero turn'd. And tow'rd the crowded coaft 
 Rofe on the wave a wide-extended hofl, 
 They fhade the main and fpread their fails abroad, 
 From the wide Laurence to the Georgian flood, 
 Point their black batteries to the peopled more, 365 
 
 And burfting flames begin the hideous roar. 
 
 Where guardlefs Falmouth, looking o'er the bay, 
 Beheld, unmov'd, the ftormy thunders play, 
 
 The fire begins ; the {hells o'er-arching fly, 
 And fhoot a thoufand rainbows thro' the iky ; 370 
 
 On Charleftown fpires, on Briflol roofs, they light, 
 Groton and Fairfield kindle from the flight, 
 Fair Kingflon burns, and York's delightful fanes, 
 And beauteous Norfolk lights the neighb'ring plains , 
 From realm to realm the fmoky volumes bend, 375 
 
 Reach round the bays, and up the ftreams extend ; 
 
 Deep 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 177 
 
 Deep o'er the concave heavy wreaths are roll'd, 
 
 And midland towns and diftant groves infold. 
 
 Thro' the dark curls of fmoke the winged fires 
 
 Climb in tall pyramids above the fpircs ; 380 
 
 Cinders, high-failing, kindle heav'n around, 
 
 And falling ftru6lures fliake the fmouldering ground. 
 
 Now, where the fheeted flames tjifro' Charleilown roar, 
 And killing waves hifs round the burning fhore, 
 Thro' the deep folding fires, dread Bunker's height 385 
 Thunders o'er all and (hows a field of fight. 
 Like fhad'wy phantoms in an evening grove, 
 To the dark flrife the.clofing fquadrons move ; 
 They join, they break, they thicken thro' the au% 
 And blazing batteries burft along the war ; 390 
 
 Now, wrapp'd in reddening fmoke, now dim in fight, 
 They fweep the' hill or wing the downward flight ; 
 Here, wheel'd and wedg'd, Britannia's veterans turn, 
 And the long lightnings from their mufquets burn; 
 There fcattering ftrive the thin colonial train, 395 
 
 And broken fquadrons flill the field maintain ; 
 Britons in frem battalions rife the height, 
 And, with increafing vollies, give the fight. 
 Till, fmear'd with clouds of duft, and bath'd in gore, 
 As growing foes- their rais'd artillery pour, 400 
 
 M Columbia's 
 
178 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Columbia's hod moves o'er the field afar, 
 
 And faves, by flow retreat, the fad remains of war. 
 
 There drides bold Putnam, and from all the plains 
 
 Calls the tir'd troops, the tardy rear fuftains, 
 
 And, mid the whizzing deaths that fill the air, 405 
 
 Waves fock his fword and dares the foil' wing war. 
 
 Thro' falling fires, Columbus fees remain 
 Half of each hod in heaps promifcuos {lain ; 
 While dying crowds the lingering life-blood pour, 
 And flippery deeps are trod with prints of gore. 410 
 
 There, glorious Warren ! thy cold earth was feen, 
 There fpring thy laurels in immortal green ; 
 Deared of chiefs, that ever prefs'd the plain, 
 In freedom's caufe, with early honours, llain, 
 Still dear in death, as when, in fight you mov'd, 415 
 
 By hods applauded, and by Heav'n approv'd; 
 The faithful Mufeihall tell the world thy fame, 
 And unborn realms refound th' immortal name. 
 
 Now, from all plains, as fmoky wreaths decay, 
 The free-born myriads darted into day ; 420 
 
 Tall, thro' the leflening fhadows, half conceal'd, 
 They throng and gather in a central field; 
 There, dretch'd immenfe, their unform'd fquadrons dand, 
 Eye the drong foe, and eager drife demand. 
 
 In 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 179 
 
 In front great Washington exalted fhone, 425 
 
 His eye dire&ed tow'rd the half-feen fun ; 
 As thro' the mift the burfling fplendors. glow, 
 And light the paffage to the diftant foe. 
 His waving fteel returns the living day, 
 Clears the broad plains, and marks the warrior's way ; 430 
 The forming columns range in order bright, 
 And move impatient for the promis'd fight. 
 
 When great Columbus faw the chief arife, 
 And his bold blade, caft lightning on the fkies, 
 He trac'd the form that met his view before, 435 
 
 On drear Ohio's defolated fhore. 
 Matur'd with years, with nobler glory warm, 
 Fate in his eye, and vengeance on his arm, 
 The great Obferver here with joy beheld 
 The hero moving in a broader field. 440 
 
 There rofe brave Greene, in all the ftrength of arms, 
 Unmov'd and brightening as the danger warms ; 
 In counfel great, in every fcience fkill'd, 
 Pride of the camp and terror of the field. 
 With eager look, confpicuous o'er the crowd, 44^ 
 
 The daring port of great Montgomery ftrode ; 
 Bar'd the bright blade, with honour's call elate, 
 Claim'd the firft field, and haften'd to his fate. 
 
 M 2 Calm 
 
1 80 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Calm Lincoln next, with unaffected mien, 
 
 In dangers daring, adive and ferene, 450 
 
 Carelefs of pomp, with fleady greatnefs fhone, 
 
 Sparing of others' blood and liberal of his own. 
 
 Heath, for th' impending ftrife, his falchion draws ; 
 
 And fearlefs Wcofter aids the facred caufe. 
 
 Mercer advanc'd, an early fate to prove, 455 
 
 And Wayne and Mifflin fvvift to combat move. 
 
 There ftood ftern Putnam, feam'd with many a fear, 
 
 The veteran honours of an earlier war ; 
 
 Undaunted Stirling, dreadful to his foes, 
 
 And Gates and Sullivan to vengeance rofe ; 460 
 
 While brave M'Dougall, fleady and fedate, 
 
 Stretch'd the nerv'd arm to ope the fcene of fate. 
 
 Howe mov'd with rapture to the toils of fame, 
 
 Laurens adorn'd a father's honour'd name ; 
 
 Parfons and Smallwood lead their daring bands, 465 
 
 St. Clair alert in front of thoufands ftands. 
 
 There gallant Knox his moving engines brings, 
 
 Mounted and grav'd, * the loft refort of kings ; 
 
 * Ultima ratio regum ; a device of Louis XIV, engraved on 
 his ordnance. The fame device has lince been adopted by 
 other nations. Many pieces of foreign cannon, ufed in America 
 in the courfe of former wars, had been left in the country at the 
 conclufion of the laft peace. Thcfe compofed the American 
 
 artillery 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 181 
 
 The long black rows in dreadful order wait, ' 
 
 Their grim jaws gaping, foon to utter fate ; 470 
 
 When, at his word, the red-wing'd clouds fhall rife, 
 
 And the deep thunders rock the fhores and (kies. 
 
 Beneath a waving fword, in blooming prime, 
 
 Fayette moves graceful, ardent and fublime ; 
 
 In foreign guife, in freedom's noble caufe, 475 
 
 His untry'd blade the youthful hero draws ; 
 
 On the great chief his eyes in tranfport roll, 
 
 And fame and Washington infpire his foul. 
 
 Steuben advanced, in veteran armour dreft, 
 
 For Pruffian lore diflinguim'd o'er the reft ; 480 
 
 From rank to rank, in eager hafte, he flew, 
 
 And marfhall'd hofts -in crread arrangement drew. 
 
 Wadfworth, to aid their 'generous ardour, flood, 
 
 The friend, the patron 'of the brave and good. 
 
 While other chiefs and heirs of deathlefs fame 48*5 
 
 Rife into %l^, and equal honours claim ; 
 
 But who can' tell the dew-drops of the morn ? 
 
 Or count the rays that in the diamond burn r 
 
 Now, the broad field as untry'd warriors {hade, 
 The fun's glad beam their fhining ranks difplay'd ; 490 
 
 artillery at the commencement of the war of Independence; 
 which accounts for the circumftance of this device being found 
 Qii the cannon of a republican army. 
 
 M 3 The 
 
i82 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 The glorious Leader wav'd his glittering flee], 
 Bade the long train in circling order wheel ; 
 And, while the banner'd holt around him prefs'd, 
 With patriot ardour thus the ranks addrefs'd : 
 
 Ye generous bands, behold the tafk to fave, 495 
 
 Or yield whole nations to an inftant grave. 
 See headlong myriads crowding to your fhore, 
 Hear, from all ports, their boated thunders roar ; 
 From Charleftown-heights their bloody ftandards play, 
 O'er far Champlain they lead their northen way, 500 
 
 Virginian banks behold their Pcreauiers glide, 
 And hoftile navies load each fouthern tide. 
 Beneath their (leps your towns in aihes lie, 
 Your inland empires feaft their greedy eye ; 
 Soon mall your fields to lordly parks be turn'd, 505 
 
 Your children buteher'd, and your villas burn'd ; 
 While following millions, thro' the reign of time, 
 Who claim their birth in this indulgent clime, 
 Bend the weak knee, to fervile toils confign'd, 
 And floth and flavery overwhelm mankind. 510 
 
 Rife then to war, to noble vengeance rife, 
 Ere the grey fire, the helplefs infant dies ; 
 Look thro' the world where endlefs years defcend, 
 What realms, what ages on your arms depend ! 
 
 Reverfc 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 183 
 
 Reverfe the fate, avenge th' infulted fky ; 515 
 
 Move to the ftrife we conquer or we die. 
 
 So fpoke the chief; and with his guiding hand 
 Points the quick toil to each furrounding band. 
 At once the different lines are wheel'd afar, 
 In different realms, to meet the gathering war. 520 
 
 With his young hofl Montgomery iflues forth, 
 And lights his paflage thro' the dufky north ; 
 O'er ftreams and lakes his conqu'ring banners play, 
 Navies and forts, furrend'ring, mark his way ; 
 Thro' defert wilds, o'er rocks and fens, they go, 525 
 
 And hills before them lofe their crags in fnow ; 
 Unbounded toils they brave ; when rife in fight 
 Quebec's dread walls, and Wolfe's dill cheerlefs height ; 
 With fkillful glance he eyes the turrets round, 
 Briflled with pikes, with dark artillery crown'd, 530 
 
 Refolves with naked fteel to fcale the towers, 
 And match a realm from Britain's hoftile powers. 
 
 Now drear December's boreal blafb arife, 
 A roaring hail-ftorm fwept the fhuddering Ikies, 
 Night with condemning horrors fhrouded all, 535 
 
 And trembling watch-lights glimmer'd from the wall: 
 He points th' aflault, and thro' the howling air, 
 O'er rocky ramparts leads the dreadful war. 
 
 M 4 Swift 
 
i&4 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Swift rife the rapid hoft ; the walls are red 
 
 With flafliing flames ; down roll the heaps of dead. 540 
 
 Till back recoiling from the ranks of {lain, 
 
 They leave their leader with a feeble train, 
 
 Begirt with foes within the founding wall, 
 
 While round his arm fucceffive Britons fall ; 
 
 But fhort the flrife ; new fquadrons gather'd round, 545 
 
 And brave Montgomery preft the gory ground. 
 
 Another Wolfe Columbus here beheld, 
 
 In youthful charms, a foul undaunted yield ; 
 
 While loft, o'erpower'd, his hardy haft remains, 
 
 Stretch'd by his fide, or led in captive chains. 550 
 
 And now the Angel turn'd the Hero's eye, 
 To other realms, where other ftandards fly ; 
 Where W r aihington amid furrounding foes, 
 Still greater rifes as the danger grows ; 
 And wearied ranks, o'er welt'ring warriors flain, 553 
 
 Attend his courfe thro' many a crimfon'd plain. 
 From Hudfon's banks to Trenton's dreary ftrand, 
 He guards in firm retreat his feeble band ; 
 While countlefs foes with Britifh Howe advance, 
 Bend o'er his rear, and point the lifted lance ; 560 
 
 O'er Del' ware's frozen wave, with fcanty force, 
 He lifts the fword, and points the backward courfe, 
 
 Wings 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 185 
 
 Wings the dire vengeance on the fhouting train, 
 
 And leads whole fquadrons in the captive chain ; 
 
 Where vaunting foes to half their numbers yield, 565 
 
 Tread back the flight, or prefs the fatal field. 
 
 'Twas there in furious ftrife, brave Mercer (erode; 
 
 And feal'd the vicTry with his ftreammg blood. 
 
 Where the broad Laurence mingles with the main, 
 Rofe into fight a wide extended train : 570 
 
 From (hore to fhore, along th' unfolding ikies, 
 Beneath full fails, imbanded nations rife ; 
 Britain and Brunfwick here their flags unfold ; 
 Here Heffia's hordes, for toils of daughter fold, 
 Hibernian hofts and Hanoverian flaves, 575 
 
 Move o'er the decks and {hade the confcious waves. 
 Tall, on the boldeft bark, fuperior (hone, 
 A warrior, enfign'd with a various crown ; 
 Myrtles and laurels equal honours join'd, 
 Which arms had purchas'd and the Mufes t\vin'<l ; 580 
 His fword wav'd forward, and his ardent eye 
 Seem'd fharing empires in the fouthern fky. 
 Befide him rofe a herald, to proclaim 
 His various honours, titles, feats, and fame ; 
 Who rais'd an op'ning fcroll, where proudly fhone 585 
 Burgoyne and vengeance from the Britljk throne. 
 
186 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Champlain receives the congregated hoft, 
 And his dark waves, beneath the fails, are loft, 
 St. Clair beholds ; and, with his feeble train, 
 In firm retreat, o'er many a fatal plain, 590 
 
 Lures their wild march. Wide moves their furious force, 
 And flaming hamlets mark their wafting courfe ; 
 Thro' pathlefs realms their fpreading ranks are wheel'd 
 O'er Mohawk's weftern wave and Bennington's dread field ; 
 Till, where deep Hudfon's winding waters ftray, 595 
 
 A yeoman hoft oppos'd their rapid way ; 
 There on a towery height brave Gates arofe, 
 Wav'd the blue fteel and dar'd the headlong foes ; 
 Undaunted Lincoln, moving at his fide, 
 Urg'd the dread ftrife, and fwell'd the Slaughtering tide. 600 
 Now roll, like winged ftorins, the lengthening lines, 
 The clarion thunders and the battle joins ; 
 Thick flames, in vollied flalhes, fill the air, 
 And fhuddering mountains give the noife of war ; 
 Sulphurious clouds rife reddening round the height, 605 
 And veil the fkies and wrapt the founding fight. 
 Now, in the fkirt of fmoke where thoufands toil, 
 Ranks roll away and into light recoil ; 
 The rout increafes, all the Britifh train 
 Tread back their fteps and fcatter o'er the plain ; . 610 
 
 To 
 
BOOK THE FIFTH. 187 
 
 To the glad holds precipitate retire, 
 
 And wide behind them ftreams the flashing fire. 
 
 Scarce mov'd the frnoke above the gory height, 
 And op'd the {laughter to the Hero's fight ; 
 Back to their fate, when baffled fquadrons flew, 6 1 5 
 
 Refum'd their rage, and pour'd the ftrife anew ; 
 Again the batteries roar, the lightnings play, 
 Again they fall, again they roll away. 
 And now Columbia, circling round the field, 
 Points her full force Britannia's thoufands yield ; 620 
 When bold Burgoyne, in one difailrous day, 
 Sees future crowns and former wreaths decay ; 
 While two illuftrious armies ihade the plain, 
 The mighty victors and the captive train. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS, 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 Coaft of France rifes in Vifion. Louis, to humlle the 
 Briti/h power, forms an alliance with the American 
 Jtates. This brings France, Spain, and Holland into 
 the war, and roufes Hyder Ally to attack the Englijh in 
 India. 'The Vijion returns to America, where the military 
 operations continue with various fuccefs. Battle of Mon- 
 mouth. A flions of Lincoln. Movements of Cor nwallis. 
 Aclions of Greene. French army arrives, and joins the 
 American. They march and lejiege the Englijh army under 
 Cornwallis in York-town. Naval aftion of De Grcijje. 
 and Graves. Capture of the Englijh army. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS/ 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 HUS view'd the Sage; when, lo, in eaftern fkies, 
 From glooms unfolding Gallia's coafts arife. 
 Bright o'er the fcenes of Hate a golden throne, 
 Inftarr'd with gems and hung with purple, fhone ; 
 Young Bourbon there in fovereign fplendor fate, 5 
 
 And fleets and moving armies round him wait. 
 For now the conteft, with increas'd alarms, 
 Fill'd every clime, and rous'd the world to arms ; 
 While Heav'n's high will, that light from darknefs brings, 
 And good to nations from the fcourge of kings, 10 
 
 In this dread hour bade all the plan unfold, 
 And the new world illuminate the old. 
 
 Thro' Europe's realms unnumber'd fages trace 
 Th' expanding dawn that waits the reas'ning race ; 
 O'er weflern climes they turn their ardent eyes, 15 
 
 Thro' glorious toils where ilruggling nations rife ; 
 
 Whe,ie 
 
ig* THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Where each firm deed, each new illuftrious name 
 
 Calls into light a field of nobler fame. 
 
 They mark beyond, thro' wilder'd walks of day, 
 
 Where abfent funs their unknown beams difplay, 20 
 
 What fires of unborn nations claim their birth, 
 
 And alk their empires in that wafle of earth. 
 
 While o'er the eaftern world, with painful eye, 
 
 In flavery funk they fee the kingdoms lie, 
 
 W 7 hole realms exhaufted to enrich a throne, 25 
 
 Their fruits untafled, and their rights unknown ; 
 
 Thro' tears of grief that fpeak the melting mind, 
 
 They hail the era that relieves mankind. 
 
 Of thefe the firft, the Gallic fages ffond, 
 And urge their king to lift an aiding hand. 30 
 
 The generous caufe their glowing breads infpirM, 
 Columbia's wrongs their indignation fir'd ; 
 To mare her glorious toils their counfel mov'd, 
 In juflice founded and by faith approv'd. 
 Surrounding heroes wait the monarch's word, 35 
 
 In foreign fields to draw the glittering fvvord, 
 Prepar'd with joy to join thofe infant powers, 
 Who build new empires on the weftern fliores, 
 
 By honeft guile the royal ear they bend, 
 And lure him on, fair freedom to defend ; 40 
 
 That 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. ' 193 
 
 That, once recognis'd, once edablifli'd there, 
 The world might learn the proffer'd boon to fliare ; 
 While artful arguments the plan difguife, 
 Garb'd in the glofs that fuits a monarch's eyes. 
 
 By arms to humble Britain's haughty power, 45 
 
 From her to fever that extended more, 
 Contents his utmoft wifh. For this he lends 
 His powerful aid, and calls th ? opprefs'd his friends. 
 The league propos'd, he lifts his arm to fave, 
 And fpeaks the borrow'd language of the brave : % jo 
 
 Ye ftates of France, and ye of rifing name, 
 Who work thofe diftant miracles of fame, 
 Hear and attend ; let heav'n the witnefs bear, 
 We draw the fword, we aid the righteous war. 
 Let leagues eternal bind each friendly land, 55 
 
 Giv'n by our voice, and 'flablifh'd by our hand ; 
 Let jon extenfive empire fix her fway, 
 And fpread her bleflings with the bounds of day* 
 Yet know, ye nations, hear, ye Powers above, 
 Our purpos'd aid no views of conqueft move ; 60 
 
 In that vaft world revives no ancient claim 
 Of regions peopled by the Gallic name ; 
 Our envied bounds, already ftretch'd afar, 
 Nor alk the fword, nor fear the rage of war,- 
 
 N But 
 
i 9 4 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 But virtue, ftruggling with the vengeful Power, 65 
 
 That flains yon fields, and defolates that fhore, 
 "With nature's foes bids former compact ceafe ; 
 We war reluctant, and our wi(h is peace ; 
 To fuffering nations be the fuccour given, 
 
 The cauie of nations is the caufe of Heaven. 70 
 
 
 
 He fpoke ; his moving armies (hade the plain, 
 His fleets rode bounding on the weftern main ; 
 O'er lands and feas the loud.applaufes rung, 
 And war sad union dwelt on every tongue. 
 
 The other Bourbon caught the fplendid ftrain, 75 
 
 And rous'd in liafte the naval force of Spain. 
 Swift o'er the tide, where Gallic flags advance, 
 He bids his own in wonted union dance ; 
 And while dread Elliott (hakes the Midland wave, 
 They drive in vain the Calpian rock to brave. 80 
 
 The Belgian powers with equal fpeed prepare 
 Thro* weflern ifles to meet the watery war ; 
 Where dill proud Albion fvveeps the (huddering main, 
 And foils the force of Holland, France and Spain. 
 
 Where Indian borders ikirt the orient ikies, 85 
 
 To furious ftrife unwonted myriads rife ; 
 Great Hyder there, unconquerably bold, 
 Bids vengeance move and freedom's flag unfold, 
 
 Fires 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 195 
 
 Fires the wide realms t'affert their ancient fway, 
 
 And fcourge fierce Britons from their lawlefs prey. 90 
 
 Now Europe's northern powers, their counfels blend, 
 The laws of trade to foften and extend ; 
 An arm'd Neutrality the way prepares, 
 To check the horrors of all future wars ; 
 Till by degrees the wafting fword mall ceafe, 95 
 
 And commerce lead to univerfal peace. 
 
 Thus all the ancient world with ardent eyes 
 Enjoy the lights that gild th' Atlantic fkies, 
 Wake to new life, affume a borrow'd flame, 
 Enlarge the luftre and partake the fame. IOO 
 
 So mounts of ice, that polar heav'ns invade, 
 Unheeded (land beneath the night's long {hade, 
 Yet when the morning lights their glaring throne, 
 Give back the day, and imitate the fun. 
 
 But flill Columbus, o'er the weftern fhore, 105 
 
 Sees Albion's fleets her new battalions pour ; 
 The realms unconquer'd ftill their terrors wield, 
 And (lain with mingled gore th' embattled field. 
 O'er Schuyikill's wave to various fight they move, 
 And adverfe nations equal flaughter prove ; I IO 
 
 Till, where dread Monmouth lifts a frowning height* 
 Parading armies caft a glaring light. 
 
 N 2 There 
 
196 ' THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 There ftrode the British Clinton o'er the field, 
 
 And marfliall'd holts for ready combat held. 
 
 As the dim fun, beneath the Ikirts of even, 115 
 
 Crimfons the clouds that fail tha weftern heaven ; 
 
 So, in red wavy rows, where fpread the train 
 
 Of men and ftandards, flione the fateful plain. 
 
 But now dread Washington arofe in fight, 
 And the long ranks roll forward to the fight ; 120 
 
 He points the charge, the mounted thunders roar, 
 And plough the plain, and rock the diftant fliore. 
 Above the folds of fmoke, that veil'd the war, 
 His guiding fword illum'd the fields of air ; 
 The vollied flames, that burft along the plain, 125 
 
 Break the deep clouds, and {how the piles of {lain ; 
 Till flight begins ; the fmoke is roll'd away, 
 And the red ftandards open into day. 
 Britons and Germans hurry from the field, 
 Now wrapp'd in dufl, and now to fight reveal'd ; 130 
 Behind, great Wafliington his falchion drives, 
 Thins the pale ranks, and copious vengeance gives. 
 Hofts captive bow, and move behind his arm, 
 And hofb before him wing the driven ftorm ; 
 When the glad fliore falutes their fainting fight, 1 35 
 
 And thundering navies fcreen their rapid flight. 
 
 Thro' 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 197 
 
 Thro' plains of death, that gleam with hoitile fires, 
 Brave Lincoln now to fouthern climes retires ; 
 Where o'er her ftreams beleagur'd Charieflon rofe, 
 The hero moves to meet th' aflembled foes. 140 
 
 Around the pointed ft rand, on either flood, . . 
 
 Red ftandards wav'd and floating batteries rode ; 
 While, braving death, his fcanty hoft remains, 
 And the dread ftrife with various fate fuflains. 
 
 High from the fable decks the burfKng fires 145 
 
 Sweep the full ftreets, and cleave the glittering fpires. 
 The flying flames, that vault the burning air 
 Strow their crackt mells and pour th' etherial war ; 
 And all the tented plain, where heroes tread, 
 Is torn with crags and cover'd with the dead. 150 
 
 Each fliower of flames renews the town mien's woe, 
 They wail the ftrife, they dread th' infuriate foe. 
 Th' afHicled Fair, while tears bedew their charms, 
 Babes at their fide and infants in their arms, 
 With piercing (bricks his guardian' hand implore, 155 
 
 To fave them trembling from the victor's power. 
 He {hares their anguifli with a moiil'ning eye, 
 And bids the balls rain thicker thro' the fky ; 
 But vain the ftrife ; while crowding to the more, 
 The foes in frefh battalions round him pour. 160 
 
 N 3 He 
 
198 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 He yields at laft the long-conteftecl prize, 
 And freedom's banners quit the fouthern fkies. 
 
 The conqu'ring legions now the champaign tread, 
 And tow'rd the north their fire and daughter fpread ; 
 Thro' towns and realms, where arming peafants fly, 165 
 The bold Cornwallis bears his ftandard high ; 
 O'er many a field difplays his wafting force, 
 And thoufands fall, and thoufands aid his courfe ; 
 While in his march thro' all the wide domain , 
 Colonial daftards join his fplendid train. 170 
 
 So mountain ilreams o'er climes of melting fnow, 
 Spread with increafing waves, and flood the world below. 
 
 The great Columbus , with an anxious figh, 
 Saw Britifh enfigns reaching round the iky, 
 Saw defolation whelm his fav 'rite coaft, 175 
 
 His children fcatter'd, and their vigour loft, 
 De Kalb in furious combat prefs the plain, 
 Morgan and Smallwood various fhocks fuftain ; 
 When Greene, in lonely greatnefs, rofe.to view, 
 A few firm patriots to his flandard drew; 180 
 
 And, moving (lately to a rifing ground, 
 Bade the loud trump to fpeedy vengeance found ; 
 Fir'd by the voice, new fquadrdns, from afar, 
 Crowd to the hero and demand the war. 
 
 Round 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 199 
 
 Round all the fliores and plains he turn'd his eye, 185 
 
 Saw forts arife, and conquering banners fly : 
 
 The faddening fcene fufpends his ardent foul, 
 
 And fates of empires in his bofom roll. 
 
 With flender force where fliould he lift the fteel, 
 
 While hoiting foes immeafurably wheel? 190 
 
 Or how behold the boundlefs flaughter fpread, 
 
 Himfelf (land idle and his country bleed ? 
 
 A filent moment thus the hero flood, 
 And held his warriors from the field of blood ; 
 Then points the Britidi legions where to roll, 10,5 
 
 Marks out their progrefs, and defigns the whole. 
 He lures their chief, o'er yielding realms to roam, 
 To build his greatnefs, and to find his doom ; 
 With gain and grandeur feeds his fatelefs flame, 
 And leaves the vicTry to a nobler name ; 2OO 
 
 Gives to great Wafhington, to meet his way, 
 Nor claims the glories of fo bright a day. 
 
 Then to the conquer'd fouth, with gathering force, 
 O'er fanguine plains he fhapes his rapid courfe ; 
 Forts fall around him, hofts before him fly, 205 
 
 And captive bands his growing train fupply. 
 At length, far fpreading thro' a fatal field, 
 Britannia's chiefs their circling armies wheel'd ; 
 
 N 4 Near 
 
200 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Near Eutaw's fount, where, long renown'd for blood, 
 Pillars of ancient fame in triumph flood, 210 
 
 The ready fquadrons, rang'd in order bright, 
 Stand, like a fiery wall, and wait the (hock of fight. 
 
 When o'er the neighb'ring hill, brave Greene arofe, 
 Ey'd the far plain, and viewed the glittering foes; 
 Difpos'd for combat each compacted train, 215 
 
 To lead the charge, or the wide wings fuftain, 
 Rous'd all their rage, fuperior force to prove, 
 Wav'd the bright blade, and bade the onfet move. 
 As hovering clouds, when morning beams arife, 
 Hang their red curtains round the eaftern iOkies, 22O 
 
 Unfold a fpace to hail the promis'd fun, 
 And catch their fplendors from his rifing throne ; 
 Thus glow'd th' approaching fronts, whofe ileely glare 
 Glanc'd o'er the hideous interval of war. 
 Now roll with kindling hafte the rapid lines, 325 
 
 From wing to wing the founding battle joins ; 
 Batteries and fofles wide, and ranks of fire, 
 In mingled fhocks, their thundering blafls expire: 
 Beneath the finoke, when firm advancing bands, 
 With piked arms bent forward in their hands, 230 
 
 In dreadful filence tread. As, wrapp'd from fight, 
 
 The nightly ambufh moves to fecret fight j 
 
 So 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 201 
 
 So rufh the raging files, and fightlefs clofe, 
 
 In plunging flrife, with fierce conflicting foes ; 
 
 They reach, they flrike, they ilruggle o'er the flain, 235 
 
 Deal doubtful blows, and flrow with death the plain ; 
 
 Ranks cnifh on ranks, with equal flaughter gor'd, 
 
 While dripping dreams, from every lifted fword, 
 
 Stain the thin, carnag'd hofts ; who fcill maintain, 
 
 With mutual {hocks, the vengeance of the plain. 240 
 
 Till, where brave Williams flrove and Campbell fell, 
 
 Unwonted flrokes the Britifh force repel: 
 
 The rout begins ; the fhatter'd wings, afar, 
 
 Roll back in hafte and fcatter from the war ; 
 
 They drop their arms, they fcour the marfhy field ; 245 
 
 Whole fquadrons fall and faint battalions yield. 
 
 O'er all the great Obferver fix'd his eye, 
 Mark'd the whole flrife, beheld them fall and fly ; 
 He faw where Greene thro' all the combat drove, 
 And death and vi&'ry with his prefence move ; 250 
 
 Beneath his arm (aw Marion pour the flrife, 
 Pickens and Sumner, prodigal of life ; 
 He faw young Washington, the child of fame, 
 Preferve in fight the honours of his name ; 
 Brave Lee, in pride of youth and veteran might, 255 
 
 Swept the dread field, and put whole troops to flight ; 
 
202 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 While numerous chiefs, that equal trophies raife, 
 Wrought, not unfeen, the deeds of deathlefs praife. 
 
 Columbus now his gallant fons beheld 
 In triumph move thro' many a banner'd field ; 260 
 
 When o'er the main, from Gallia's friendly {hore, 
 To the glad ftrife a hoft of heroes pour. 
 On the tall (haded decks the leaders ft and, 
 View leflening waves, and hail the crowded ftrand. 
 Brave Rochambeau, in gleamy fteel array 'd, 265 
 
 Th'afcending fcenes with eager joy furvey'd ; 
 Saw Wafhington, amid his thoufands, ftride, 
 And long'd to toil and conquer by his fide. 
 Two brother chiefs, in rival luftre, rofe, 
 Rear'd the long lance, and claim'd the field of foes ; 270 
 The bold Viominils, of equal fame, 
 And eager both to grace the honour'd name. 
 Lauzon, beneath his fail, in armour bright, 
 Frown'd o'er the wave, impatient for the fight ; 
 A fiery fteed befide the hero flood, 275 
 
 And his broad blade wav'd forward o'er the crowd. 
 
 And now, with eager hafte, they tread the coaft ; 
 Thro' grateful regions march their veteran hoft ; 
 Join the great Chief, where allied banners lead, 
 Demand the foe, and bid the war proceed. 280 
 
 Again 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 203 
 
 Again Columbus caft his anxious eye, 
 Where Britain's ftandard wav'd along the iky ; 
 And, grac'd with fpoils of many a field of blood, 
 The bold Cornwallis on a bulwark flood. 
 O'er conquer'd provinces, and towns in flame, 285 
 
 He mark'd his recent monuments of fame ; 
 High-rais'd in air his hands fecurely hold, 
 With confcious pride, a flieet of cypher'd gold ; 
 There, in delufive hafte, his fkill had grav'd 
 A clime fubdu'd, a flag in triumph wav'd : 290 
 
 A middle realm, by fairer figures known, 
 Adorn'd with fruits, lay bounded for his own ; 
 Deep thro' the centre fpreads a beauteous bay, 
 Full fails afcend and golden rivers ftray ; 
 Bright palaces arife, reliev'd in gold, 29 $ 
 
 And gates and flreets the croffing lines unfold ; 
 O'er all the mimic fcene, his fingers trace 
 His future feat and glory of his race. 
 
 While thus the Britifh chief his conquefls view'd, 
 And gazing thoufands round the ramparts ftood, 300 
 
 Whom future cafe and golden dreams employ, 
 The fongs of triumph and the feaft of joy ; 
 Sudden great Wafhington arofe in view, 
 And union'd flags his flately fleps purfue - t 
 
 Great 
 
204 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Great Gallia's hoft and young Columbia's pride, 305 
 
 Bend the long march and glitter at his fide. 
 
 Now on the wave the warring fleets advance, 
 And rival enfigns o'er their pinions dance ; 
 Graves, from the north, dread Albion's flag unfurPd 
 That wav'd defiance to the watery world; 310 
 
 De GrafTe, from fouthern ifles, conduces his train, 
 And fhades with Gallic flieets the billowy main. 
 
 The fwelling fails, as far as eye can fweep, 
 Look thro' the ikies and awe the Shuddering deep. 
 As, when the winds of heav'n, from each far pole, 315 
 Their adverfe ftorms acrofs the concave roll, 
 The fleecy vapours thro' th'expanfion run, 
 Veil the blue vault, and tremble o'er the fun ; 
 Till the dark folding wings together drive, 
 And, ridg'd with fires and rock'd with thunders, ftrive ; 320 
 So, bearing thro' the void, at firft appear 
 White clouds of canvafs floating on the air ; 
 Then frown th' approaching fronts ; the fails are laid, 
 And the black decks extend a dreadful fhade ; . 
 While rolling flames and tides of fmoke arife, 325 
 
 And thundering cannons rock the feas and fkies. 
 Where the long burfling fires the cloud difclofe, 
 Hoils heave in fight and blood the decks o'er-flows j 
 
 Here 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 20$ 
 
 Here from the (trite toil navies rife to view, 
 
 Drive back to vengeance, and the toil renew, 330 
 
 There fhatter'd barks in fquadrons move afar, 
 
 Led thro' the fmoke, and ftruggling from the war ; 
 
 While hulls half feen, beneath a gaping wave, 
 
 And plunging heroes fill the watery grave. 
 
 Now the dark fmoky volumes roll'd away, 33$ 
 
 And a long line afcended into day ; 
 The pinions fwell'd, Britannia's flag arofe, 
 And flew the vengeance of triumphing foes. 
 When up the bay, Virginian lands that laves, 
 The Gallic line its conquering ftandard waves : 340 
 
 Where ft ill dread Washington directs his way, 
 And fleets and moving realms his voice obey ; 
 While the brave Briton, mid the gathering hoft, 
 Perceives his glories and his empire loft. 
 
 The heav'n-taught Sage in this broad fcene beheld 345 
 His fav'rite fons the fates of nations wield ; 
 There joyous Lincoln fhone in arms again, 
 Nelfon and Knox mov'd ardent o'er the plain ; 
 Unconquer'd Scammel, mid the clofing ftrife, 
 In fight of vidYry pour'd his gallant life ; 350 
 
 While Gallic thoufands eager toils fuftain, 
 And death and danger hearten every train. 
 
 Where 
 
2c6 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS; 
 
 Where Tarlcton turns with hopes of flight elate, 
 
 Brave Lauzon moves, and drives him hack to fate. 
 
 In one dread view two ehofen bands advance, 355 
 
 Columbia's veterans and the pride of France ; 
 
 Thefe bold Viominil exalts to fame, 
 
 And thofe Fayette's conducting guidance claim. 
 
 They lift the fword, with rival glory warm, 
 
 O'er piked ramparts pour the flaming ftorm, 360 
 
 The mounted thunders brave, and lead the foe, 
 
 In captive fquadrons, to the plain below. 
 
 O'er all great Wailiington his arm extends, 
 
 Points every movement, every toil defends, 
 
 Bids clofer flrife and bloodier ftrokes proceed, 36$ 
 
 New batteries blaze and heavier fquadrons bleed ; 
 
 Round the pent foe approaching breaftworks rife, 
 
 And mells like meteors vault the flaming ikies. 
 
 With dire difmay the Britiih chief beheld 
 
 The foe advance, his veterans quit the field ; 370 
 
 Defpair and {laughter when he turns his eye, 
 
 No hope in combat, and no power to fly ; 
 
 De Grafle victorious {hakes the {huddering tide, 
 
 Imbody'd nations all the champaign hide ; 
 
 Foffes and batteries, growing on the fight, 375 
 
 Still pour new thunders and incrcafe the fight, 
 
 Shells 
 
BOOK THE SIXTH. 207 
 
 Shells rain before him, rock the fhores around, 
 
 And crags and balls o'erturn the tented ground ; 
 
 From poft to poft the driven ranks retire, 
 
 The earth in crimfon and the fkies on fire. 380 
 
 Now grateful truce fufpends the burning war, 
 And groans and fhouts, promiicuous, load the air ; 
 When the tir'd Britons, where the fmokes decay, 
 Refign their arms and move in open day. 
 Columbus faw th' immeafurable train, 385 
 
 Thoufands on thoufands, redden all the plain ; 
 Beheld the glorious Leader ftand feclate, 
 Hofts in his chain, and banners at his feet ; 
 Nor fmile o'er all, nor chide the fallen chief, 
 But fhare with pitying eye his manly grief. 390 
 
 Thus thro' th' extremes of life, in every ftate, 
 Shines the clear foul, beyond all fortune great ; 
 While fmaller minds, the dupes of fickle chance, 
 Slight woes overwhelm, and fudden joys entrance. 
 So the full fun, through all the changing iky, 395 
 
 Nor blafts, nor overpowers, the naked eye ; 
 Tho' tranfient fplendors, borrow'd from his light, 
 Glance on the mirror and deflroy the fight. 
 
 He bids brave Lincoln, as they move along, 
 Conduct the triumph of the vanquifh'd throng ; 400 
 
 Who fees, once more, two armies {hade the plain, 
 The mighty victors and the captive train. 
 

 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK VII, 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 J-[ymn to Peac. Progrefs of Arts In America. Fur-trade. 
 Fijberiei. Productions and Commerce. Education. 
 lofophical difcQveriss. Painting. Poetry. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK VII. 
 
 H 
 
 AIL facred Peace, who claim' ft thy bright abocl? 
 Mid circling faints that grace the throne of God ! 
 Before his arm, around the fliapelefs earth, 
 Stretch' d the wide heav'ns, and gave to nature birth ; 
 Ere morning-ftars his glowing chambers hung, 5 
 
 Or fongs of gladnefs woke an angePs tongue, 
 Veil'd in the brightnefs of th' Almighty's mind, 
 In bleft repofe thy placid form reclin'd. 
 Borne through the heav'ns with his creating voice, 
 Thy prefence bade th'unfolding worlds rejoice, Itf 
 
 Gave to feraphic harps their founding lays, 
 Their joys to angels, and to men their praife. 
 
 From fcenes of blood, thefe beauteous fhores that {bin, 
 From gafping friends that prefs the fanguine plain, 
 From fields, long taught in vain thy flight to mourn, 15 
 I rife, delightful Power, and greet thy glad return. 
 
 O 2 Too 
 
212 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS 
 
 Too long the groans of death, and battle's bray, 
 
 Have rung difcordant through th'unpleafmg lay : 
 
 Let pity's tear its balmy fragrance flied, 
 
 O'er heroes' wounds and patriot warriors dead ; 20 
 
 Accept, departed fhades, thefe grateful fighs, 
 
 Your fond attendants to th'approving fkies. 
 
 And thou, my earliefl friend, my brother dear, 
 Thy fall untimely wakes the tender tear. 
 In youthful fports, in toils, in blood allied, 25 
 
 My kind companion and my hopeful guide, 
 When HeavVs fad fummons, from our infant eyes, 
 Had call'd our laft, lov'd parent to the ikies. 
 Tho' young in arms, and ftill obfcure thy name, 
 Thy bofom panted for the deeds of fame, . 30 
 
 Beneath Montgomery's eye, when, by thy fleel, 
 In northern wilds, the frequent favage fell. 
 Yet, haplefs Youth ! when thy gfeat leader bled, 
 Thro' the fame wound thy parting fpirit fled. 
 
 But now th'untuneful trump {hall grate no more, 35 
 Ye filver flreams, no longer fwell with gore ; 
 Bear from your beauteous banks the crimfon {lain, 
 With yon retiring navies, to the main. 
 While other views unfolding on my eyes, 
 And happier themes bid bolder numbers rife : 40 
 
 Bring, 
 
BOOK THE SEVENTH. 
 
 3 
 
 Bring, bounteous Peace, in thy celeftial throng, 
 
 Life to my foul, and rapture to my fong ; 
 
 Give me to trace, with pure unclouded ray, 
 
 The arts and virtues that attend thy fvvay ; 
 
 To fee thy blifsful charms, that here defcend, 45 
 
 Through diftant realms and endlefs years extend. 
 
 To caft new glories o'er the changing clime, 
 The Seraph now revers'd the flight of time ; 
 Roll'd back the years that led their courfe before, 
 And flretch'd immenfe the wild uncultur'd ihore ; 50 
 
 The paths of peaceful Science rais'd to view, 
 And fliow'd th' afcending crowds that ufeful arts purfue. 
 
 As c^er the canvafs, when the matter's mind 
 Glows with a future landicape, well defign'd, 
 While gardens, vales, and flreets and ilru&ures rife, 55 
 j new creation to his kindling eyes ; 
 He fmiles o'er all ; and, in delightful ft rife, 
 The pencil moves and calls- the whole to life. 
 So, while the great Columbus flood fublime, 
 And faw wild nature clothe the tracklefs clime ; 60 
 
 The green banks heave, the winding currents pour, 
 The bays and harbours cleave the yielding more, 
 The champaigns fpread, the folemn groves arife, 
 And the rough mountains lengthen round the ikies; 
 
 O 3 Through 
 
214 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS? 
 
 Through all the fcene he tracM, with fkillful ken, 65 
 
 The unform'd feats and future walks of men ; 
 
 Mark'd where the fields fhould bloom, the ftreamers play, 
 
 And towns and empires claim their peaceful fway ; 
 
 When, fudden waken'd by the Angel's hand, 
 
 They rofe in pomp around the cultur'd land. 70 
 
 In weftern wilds, where ftill the natives tread, 
 From fea to fea an inland commerce fpread ; 
 O'er the dim ftreams, and thro' the gloomy grove, 
 The trading bands their cumb'rous burdens move ; 
 Where furs, and fkins, and all th' exhaufllefs flore 7$ 
 Of midland realms, defcended to the fliore. 
 
 Where fummer's funs, along the northern coaft, 
 With feeble force diflblve the chains of froft, 
 Prolific waves the fcaly nations trace, 
 And tempt the toils of man's laborious race. 
 Though rich Peruvian ftrands, beneath the tide, 
 Their rocks of pearl and fparkling pebbles hide ; 
 Lur'd by the gaudy prize, a vent'rous train 
 Plunge the dark deep and brave the furging main ; 
 Whole realms of flaves the dangerous labours dare, 85 
 To ftud a fceptre or emblaze a ftar : 
 Yet wealthier (lores thefe genial tides difplay, 
 And bufy throngs with nobler fpoils repay. 
 
 The 
 
BOOK THE SEVENTH. axf 
 
 The Hero faw the hardy hofls advance, 
 
 Cafl the long line and aim the barbed lance ; 90 
 
 Load the deep floating barks, and bear abroad 
 
 To each far clime the life-fuftaining food ; 
 
 While growing fwarms by nature's hand fupplied, 
 
 People the fhoals and fill the fruitful tide. 
 
 Where fouthern ftreams thro' broad favannahs Send, 95 
 The rice-clad vales their verdant rounds extend ; 
 Tobago's phnt its leaf expanding yields, 
 The maize luxuriant clothes a thoufand fields ; 
 Steeds, herds and flocks o'er northern regions rove, 
 Embrown the hill, and wanton thro' the grove ; 100 
 
 The wood-lands wide their fturdy honours bend, 
 The pines, the live-oaks, to the fhores defcend ; 
 Along the ftrand the crooked keels arife, 
 The huge hulls heave, and mafts afcend the ikies ; 
 Launch'd in the deep o'er eaftern waves they fly, 105 
 
 Feed fouthern ifles, and Europe's realms fupply. 
 
 Silent he gaz'd : when thus the guardian Power : 
 While ufeful toils like thefe adorn the more, 
 The liberal arts with more diftinguim'd praife, 
 Shall crown their labours and thy rapture raife. no 
 
 Each orient realm, the former pride of earth, 
 Wher e men and fcience drew their ancient birth, 
 
 O 4 Shall 
 
ai6 THiE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Shall foon behold, on this enlighten'd coaft, 
 
 Their fame tranfcended, and their glory loft. 
 
 That train of arts, that grac'd mankind before, 
 
 Warm'd the glad Sage or taught the Mufe to foar, 
 
 Here with fuperior fway their progrefs trace, 
 
 And aid the triumphs of thy filial race ; 
 
 While rifmg crowds, with genius unconfin'd, 
 
 Thro' deep inventions lead th' aftonifti'd mind, 120 
 
 Wide o'er the world their name unrivalFd raife, 
 
 And bind their temples with immortal bays. 
 
 In youthful minds to wake a virtuous flame, 
 To nurfe the arts, and point the paths of fame, 
 Behol$ their liberal res, with guardian care, I2.J 
 
 Thro' all the realms their feats of fcience rear. 
 Great without pomp the modeft manfions {land, 
 Harvard and Yale and Princeton grace the land, 
 Penn's peaceful dome his youths with rapture greet, 
 On James's bank Virginian mufes meet, 130 
 
 York's beauteous town her college walls command, 
 BofomM in groves, fee growing Dartmouth ftand ; 
 While, o'er the realm reflecting folar fires, 
 On yon tall hill, Rhode-Ifland's feat afpires. 
 
 O'er all the fhore, with fails and cities gay, 135 
 
 And where rude hamlets ftretch their inland fway, 
 
 With 
 
.BOOK THE SEVENTH. 217 
 
 With humbler walls unnumber'd fchools arife, 
 
 And home-bred freemen feize the folid prize. 
 
 In no bleft land has Science rear'd her fane, 
 
 And fix'd fo firm her peaqe-difFuiing reign ; 140 
 
 Each ruftic here, that turns the furrow'd foil, 
 
 The maid, the youth, that ply mechanic toil, 
 
 In freedom nurll, in ufeful arts inur'd, 
 
 Know their juft claims, and fee their rights fecur'd. 
 
 And lo ! defcending from the feats of art, 145 
 
 .The growing throngs for active fcenes depart ; 
 In various garbs they_ tread the welcome laud, 
 Swords at their fide or ftatutes in their hand, 
 With healing powers bid dire difeafes ceafe, 
 Or found the tidings of eternal peace. - 150 
 
 . In no bleft land has fair religion Hi one, 
 And fix'd fo firm her everlaft ing throne. 
 Where o'er the realms thofa fpacious temples ihine, 
 Frequent and full, the throng'd aflfeinblies join ; 
 There, fir'd with virtue's animating flame, . 155 
 
 The preacher's talk pcrfualive/ages clzu'm ; 
 The taik, for angels great in early youth, 
 To lead .whole nations in the walks of truth, 
 To (hed the beams of knowledge on the mind, 
 In bands of peace to harmonize mankind, 1 60 
 
 To 
 
sr8 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS* 
 
 To life, to happlnefs, to joys above, 
 
 The foften'd foul with ardent zeal to move r 
 
 For this the voice of Heav'n, in early years, 
 
 Tun'd the glad fongs of life-infpiring feers; 
 
 For this confenting feraphs leave the ikies, 16$ 
 
 Reveal the path of life, and teach them how to rife, 
 
 Tho' different faiths their various orders ihow, 
 That feem difcordant to the train below ; 
 They tread the fame bright fteps, and fmoothe the road, 
 Lights of the world and mefTengers of God. 170 
 
 So the galaxy broad o'er heav'n difplays 
 Of various itars the fame unbounded blaze ; 
 Where great and fmall their mingling rays unite, 
 And earth and ikies repay the friendly light. 
 
 While thus the Hero view'd the facred band, 175 
 
 Mov'd by one voice and guided by one hand, 
 He faw the heav'ns unfold, a form defcend, 
 Down the dim ikies his arm of light extend, 
 From God's own altar bear a living coal, 
 Touch their glad lips and brighten every foul ; 1 80 
 
 To liflening crowds from each accordant tongue, 
 O'er the wide clime thefe welcome accents rung r 
 
 Ye darkling race of poor diftreft mankind, 
 For blifs flill groping and to virtue blind, 
 
 Hear 
 
BOOK THE SEVENTH. 219 
 
 Hear from on high th' Almighty's voice defcend ; 185 
 
 Ye heav'ns, be filent, and thou earth, attend. 
 
 I reign the Lord of life ; I fill the round 
 
 Where ftars and fkies and angels know their bound ; 
 
 Before all years, beyond all thought I live, 
 
 Light, form and motion, time and fpace I give ; 190 
 
 Touch'd by this hand, all worlds within me roll, 
 
 Mine eye their fplendor, and my breath their foul. 
 
 Earth, with her lands and feas, my power proclaims, 
 
 There moves my fpirit, there defcend my flames ; 
 
 Grac'd with the femblance of the Maker's mind, 195 
 
 Rofe from the darkfome duft the reas'ning kind, 
 
 With powers of thought to trace th' eternal caufe, 
 
 That all his works to one great fyflem draws, 
 
 View the full chain of love, th' all-ruling plan, 
 
 That binds the God, the angel, and the man, 2OO 
 
 That gives all hearts to feel, all minds to know 
 
 The blifs of harmony, of ftrife the woe. 
 
 This heav'n of concord, who of mortal {train 
 
 Shall dare oppofe he lifts his arm in vain ; 
 
 Th' avenging univerfe on him fhall roll 205 
 
 Th 7 intended wrong, and whelm his guilty foul. 
 
 Then lend your audience ; hear, ye fons of earth, 
 
 Rife into life, behold the promis'd birth j 
 
 From 
 
220 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 From pain to joy, from guilt to glory rife, 
 
 Be babes on earth, be feraphs in the ikies. 210 
 
 O'er mortal fcenes exalt the deathlefs mind, 
 
 And.feize the blefiings of a ncbler Jtind, 
 
 That wait your choice, thatxrown, in worlds above, 
 
 The fainted hofl, the" firft-born fons of love. 
 
 View the glad throng, the glorious triumph join, 215 
 
 Their paths purfue, and in their fplendor mine, 
 
 Hail ? with feraphic fmiles, the bleft abode, 
 
 Affume their fpotlefs robes, and reign beilde your God. 
 
 Thus heard the Hero while his roving view 
 Trac'd other crowds that liberal arts purfue ; 22O 
 
 When thus the Seraph :^-Lo, a fapient band, 
 The torch of fcience flaming in their hand ! 
 Thro J nature's range their ardent fouls afpire, x 
 Or wake to life the canvafs and the lyre. 
 Fixt in fublimefl thought, behold them rife, 22% 
 
 Superior worlds unfolding to their eyes ; 
 Heav'n in their view unveils th' eternal plan, 
 And gives new guidance to the paths of man. 
 
 See on yon darkening height bold Franklin tread, 
 Heav'n's awful thunders rolling o'er his head ; 230 
 
 Convolving clouds the billowy fkies deform, 
 And forky flames emblaze the black'ning ftorm. 
 
 See 
 
BOOK THE SEVENTH. 221 
 
 See the defcending fireamS around him burn, 
 
 Glance on his rod, and with his guidance turn ; 
 
 He bids conflicting heav'ns their Wafts expire, 235 , 
 
 Curbs the fierce blaze and holds th' imprifon'd fire. 
 
 No more, when folding (terms the vault o'erfpread, 
 
 The livid glare {hall ftrike thy race with dread ; 
 
 Nor towers nor temples, fhuddering with the found, 
 
 Sink in the flames *nd fpread definition round. 240 
 
 His daring toils, the threatening blafl that wait, 
 
 Shall teach mankind to ward the bolts of fate ; 
 
 The pointed fteel o'er-top the lofty fpire, 
 
 And lead from trembling walls the harmlefs fire ; 
 
 In his glad fame while diflant worlds rejoice, 245 
 
 Far as the lightnings fhine or thunders raife their voice. 
 
 See the fage ( Rittenhoufe, with ardent eye, 
 Lift the long tube and pierce the ftarry Iky ; 
 Clear in his view the circling fyflems roll, 
 And broader fplendors gild the central pole. 250 
 
 He marks what laws th' eccentric wand'rers bind, 
 Copies creation in his forming mind, 
 And bids, beneath his hand, in femblance rife, 
 With mimic orbs, the labours of the fkies. 
 Here wond'rfng crowds with raptur'd eye behold 255 
 
 The fpangled heav'ns their my flic maze unfold ; 
 
 While 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS 
 
 While each glad fage his fplendid hall may grace, 
 "With all the fpheres that cleave th* etherial fpace. 
 
 To guide the failor in his wandering way, 
 See Godfrey's * toils reverfe the beams of day. 260 
 
 His lifted quadrant to the eye difplays 
 From adverfe fkies the counteracting rays ; 
 And marks, as devious fails bewilder'd roll, 
 Each, nice gradation from the ftedfaft pole. 
 
 See, Weft with glowing life the canvafs warms j 265 
 His fovereign hand creates impaflion'd forms, 
 Spurns the cold critic rules, to feize the heart, 
 And boldly burfts the former bounds of Art. 
 No more her powers to ancient lore confin'd, 
 He opes her liberal aid to all mankind ; 3 JO 
 
 And calls to life each patriot, chief, or fage, 
 Garb'd in the drefs and drapery of his age. 
 Again bold Regulus to death returns, 
 Again her falling Wolfe Britannia mourns j 
 
 * It is lefs from national vanity, than from a regard to truth 
 and a defire of rendering perfonal juftice, that the author wifhes 
 to re6tify the hiftory of Science in the circumftance here al 
 luded to. The inftrument, known by the name of Hadley's 
 Quadrant, now univerfally in ufe and generally attributed to 
 Dr. Hadley, was invented by Mr. Godfrey of Philadelphia. 
 See Jefferjorfs Notes on t^irginia* 
 
 Edward 
 
BOOK THE SEVENTH, 225 
 
 Edward in arms to frowning combat moves, 275 
 
 Or, won to pity by the queen he loves, 
 Spares the devoted Six, whofe deathlefs deed 
 Preferv'd the town his vengeance doom'd to bleed. 
 
 With rival force, fee Copley's pencil trace 
 The air of action and the charms of face. 280 
 
 Fair in his tints unfold the fcenes of fiate, 
 The fenate liflens and the peers debate ; 
 Pale condensation every heart appals, 
 In at to fpeak, while death-firuck Chatham falls. 
 He bids dread Calpe ceafe to fhake the waves, 285 
 
 While Elliott's arm the hoft of Bourbon faves ; 
 O'er the wing'd batteries finking in the flood, 
 Mid flames and darknefs, drench'd in hoflile blood, 
 Britannia's fons extend their generous hand, 
 To fnatch their foes from death, and bear them to the land. 
 
 Fir'd with the martial toils, that bath'd in gore 
 His brave companions on his native more, 
 Trumbull with daring hand the ftrife recalls, 
 He mades with night Quebec's beleagur'd walls, 
 Mid flaming flames, that round the turrets rife, 2<o 5 
 
 Blind carnage raves and great Montgomery dies. 
 On Charleftown's height, thro' floods of rolling fire, 
 Brave Warren falls, and fallen hefts retire -, 
 
 While 
 
224 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 While other plains of death, that gloom the Ikies, 
 
 And chiefs immortal, o'er his canvafs rife. ^co 
 
 See rural feats of innocence and eafe, 
 High-tufted towers and walks of waving trees, 
 The white waves darning on the craggy mores, 
 Meand'ring dreams and meads of fpangled flowers, 
 Where nature's fons their wild excursions lead, 305 
 
 In juft defign, from Taylor's pencil fpread. 
 
 Steward and Brown the moving portrait raife, 
 Each rival ftroke the force of life conveys ; 
 See circling Beauties round their tablets (land, 
 And rife immortal from their plaftic hand ; 310 
 
 Each breathing form preferves its wonted grace, 
 And all the foul ftands fpeaking in the face. 
 
 Two kindred arts the fwelling ftatue heave, 
 Wake the dead wax, and teach the {tone to live. 
 While the bold chiflel claims the rugged ftrife, 315 
 
 To roufe the fceptred marble into life ; 
 See Wright's fair hands the livelier fire controul, 
 In waxen forms (he breathes th' impamon'd foul ; 
 The pencil'd tint o'er moulded fubflance glows, 
 And different powers th' unrivalPd art compofe. 320 
 
 Grief, rage and fear beneath her fingers ft art, 
 Roll the wild eye and pour the burfting heart, 
 
 While 
 
BOOK THE SEVENTH. ii25 
 
 While flumbering heroes wait her wakening call, 
 And diftant ages fill the ftory'd hall. 
 
 To equal fame afcends thy tuneful throng, 325 
 
 The boaft of genius and the pride of fong ; 
 Warrn'd with the fcenes that grace their various clime, 
 Their lays mall triumph o'er the lapie of time, 
 
 With keen-eyM glance thro' nature's walks to pierce. 
 With all the powers and every charm of verfe p 332 
 
 Each fcience opening in his ample mind, 
 His fancy glowing and his tafte refin'd, 
 See Trumbull lead the train. His fkilful hand 
 Hurls the keen darts of Satire thro' the land ; 
 Pride, knavery, dullnefs, feel his mortal flings, 235 
 
 And lift'ning virtue triumphs while he fings ; 
 Proud Albion's fons, viclorious now no more, 
 In guilt retiring from the wafted more, 
 Strive their curft cruelties to hide in vain 
 The world mall learn them from his deathlefs ftrain. 340 
 
 On glory's wing to raife the ravifh'd foul, 
 Beyond the bounds of earth's benighted pole, 
 For daring Dwight the epic Mufe fublime 
 Hails her new empire on the weftern clime. 
 Fir'd with the themes by feers feraphic fung, 345 
 
 Heav'n in his eye, and rapture on his tongue, 
 
 P His 
 
226 'THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 His voice divine revives the Promised Land, 
 
 The Heav'n-taught Leader and the chofen band. 
 
 In Hanniei's fate, proud fation finds her doom, 
 
 Ai's midnight flames light nations to their tomb, t 35$ 
 
 In vihons bright fupernal joys are given, 
 
 And all the dread futurities of heaven. 
 
 While freedom's caufe his patriot bofom warms, 
 In counfel fage, nor inexpert in arms, 
 See Humphreys glorious from the field retire, 355 
 
 Sheathe the glad fword and firing the founding lyre ; 
 That lyre which erft, in hours of dark defpair, 
 Rous'd the fad realms to urge th' unfininVd war. 
 O'er fallen friends, with all the ftrength of woe, 
 His heart-felt fighs in moving numbers flow ; 360 
 
 His country's wrongs, her duties, dangers, praife, 
 Fire his full foul and animate his lays ; 
 Immortal Washington with joy fhall own 
 So fond a fav'rtte and fo brave a fon. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK VIII. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 The vifion fufpended. Caufes of the Jlow progrefs that Science 
 has hitherto made In the world, and of Its frequent Interrupt 
 tlons. Its ancient compared with Its modern eftablijhment. 
 Conferences of the latter. Caufes of the apparent uncertainty 
 In matters of theology. Superjiltlon built on thepajjions \fcepti~ 
 clfm on the reasoning power. Neccffity and happy effefi of 
 the united force of reafon and the pajfions. in the dlfcovery of 
 truth. 
 
229 
 
 THE 
 
 
 
 VISION QF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK VIII. 
 
 A 
 
 ND now the Angel, from the trembling fight, 
 Veil'd the wide world when fudden fhades of night 
 Move o'er th' etherial vault ; the {tarry train 
 faint their dim forms beneath the placid main ; 
 While earth and heav'n, around the Hero's eye, 3 
 
 Seem arch'd immenfe> like one furrounding fky. 
 Still, from the Power fuperior fplendors flione, 
 The height emblazing like a radiant throne ; 
 To converfe fweet the foothing fhades invite, 
 And on the Guide the Hero fix'd his fight. fro 
 
 Kind meflenger of Heav'n, he thus began,. 
 Why this progreffive lab'ring fearch of man ? 
 If man, by wifdom formM, hath power to reach 
 Thefe opening truths that following ages teach,. 
 Step after ftep, thro' devious paths to wind, r 
 
 And fill at lafl the meafure of the mind, 
 
 P 3 Why 
 
zy> THE, VISION OF COLUMBUS 
 
 Why did not Heav'n, with one unclouded ray, 
 
 All human arts and reaion's powers difplay ? 
 
 That mad opinions, and fectarian ftrife 
 
 Might find no place t' imbitter human life. 20 
 
 To whom tli' Angelic Power : To thee 'tis given 
 To hold high converfe and enquire of Heaven, 
 To mark untravers'd ages, and to trace 
 The promis'd truths that wait thy kindred race. 
 Knov\(then, the counfels of the Maker's mind, 25 
 
 Thro' nature's range, progrcrnve paths defign'd. 
 ProgrelTive works at every ftep we trace, 
 Thro' all duration and around all fpace ; 
 Till power and wifdom all their parts combine, 
 And full perfection fpeaks the \vork divine. 30 
 
 So the firft week beheld the progrefs rife, 
 Which form'd the earth and arch'd the ambient Ikies. 
 Dark and imperfect firft, the formlefs frame 
 From vacant night to crude exiftence came ; 
 Light ftarr'd the heav'ns and funs were taught their bound, 
 Winds woke their force, and floods their centre found ; 
 Earth's kindred elements, in joyous ftrife, 
 Warm'd the glad glebe to vegetable life, 
 TUl-fenfe and power and action claim'd their place, 
 And godlike reafon crown'd th' imperial race. 40 
 
 Tis 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. 231 
 
 'Tis thus meek Science, from creation's birth, 
 
 With time's long circuit treads the cbrkfome earth, 
 
 Leads in progreinve march th' enquiring mind, 
 
 To curb its paffions and its biifs to find, 
 
 To guide the rcas'ning power, and fmoothe the road, 45 
 
 That leads mankind to nature and to God. 
 
 In elder times, when favage tribes began, 
 A few ftrong paffions fway'd the wayward man ; 
 Envy, revenge, and fatelefs lull of power 
 Fir'd the dark foul, and iTain'd (he fields with gore ; 50 
 Till growing bands fuperior flrength fupply'd, 
 And wall'd their cities with the towers of pride. 
 And when by force the infant arts arofe, 
 They iur'd the envy of {unrounding foes ; 
 Some favage band would feize the peaceful prey, 55 
 
 And blaft the learning, to obftrucT: the fway. 
 
 Thus, at the Mufe's call, when Thebes arofe, 
 And Science dawn'd where nurturing Nilus flows, 
 Rich with the toils of art, bold ftru&ures blaz'd, 
 And barb'rous nations envy'd as they gaz'd ; 60 
 
 The wond'rous pyramid, the tempting {lore, 
 The charm of conquefl, and the grafp of power, 
 Lur'd the dark world, with envious pride elate, 
 To whelm fair Science in the wrecks of ftate ; 
 
 P 4 Till 
 
2ts THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Till Thebes and Memphis namelefs ruins lie, 65 
 
 And crufh the race that rais'd them to the iky. 
 
 O'er Chaldea's plains her fons began to frray, 
 To count the flars, and trace their wand'ring way ; 
 Where the glad {hepherd learn'd the fkies to read, 
 His loves to cherifh 1 and his flocks to feed ; 70 
 
 Till haughty Babel ftretch'd an envy'd fway, 
 And furious millions warr'd the arts away. 
 
 Jiiffus' banks difplay'd a happier feat, 
 Where every Mufe and all .the virtues meet, 
 To grace the Grecian flates ; then, fteering far 2 75 
 
 Driv'n by the clofe purfuit of vengeful war, 
 She wings her flight, a weftern region gains, 
 And finds a home on Latium'^ friendly plains. 
 
 But force and conqueft follow where fhe leads, 
 Her labours changing to heroic deeds. So 
 
 Rome's haughty Genius, taught by her to foar, 
 With pride of learning fweli'd the pride of power, 
 From Brits, from Scythians pluck'd the laurel crown, 
 And deem'd by right th' unletter'd world his own. 
 Till, fir'd by infult, vengeful myriads rofe, 85 
 
 And all the north pour'd forth ihe fvvarming foes j 
 Like fweeping tempefls in embattled heaven, 
 
 fire and blacknefs Hreak the fails of even, 
 
 The 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH, 233 
 
 The griily Goths' imbodied nations rile, 
 
 The toils of ages fpread the tempting prize ; 90 
 
 Spain, Latin m, Afric, feed the furious flame. 
 
 And haplefs Science mourns her buried name. 
 
 As when the fun moves o'er the flaming zone, 
 Careering clouds attend his fervid throne, 
 Superior fplendors, in his courfe difplay'd, 93 
 
 Proclaim the progrefs of a heavier {hade ; 
 Thus where the Power her ancient circuit held, 
 Her mining courfe fucceeding darknefs veil'd. 
 Fear, intereft, envy bound her narrow reign, 
 A coaft her walk, the Hellefpont her main, loo 
 
 Ere Goya's magnet pointed to the pole, 
 Or taught thy bark o'er wider worlds to roll< 
 
 At length the fcenea nobler pomp affumcs, 
 A milder beam difpeis the Gothic glooms ; 
 In fober majefty, and charms of peace, 105 
 
 Thegoddefs moves, and cheers her filial race, 
 Lifts bolder wings, with furer flight to foar, 
 No more to reft, till heav'n illumes no more. 
 
 At once, confenting nations rife to fame ; 
 Here Charles's genius wakes the Gallic name, I jo 
 
 There Alfred aids the univerfal caufe,. 
 And opes the fqurce of liberty and laws ; 
 
 She 
 
2*4 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 She claims in Greece her long deferted home, 
 
 In wild German ia rears her Gothic dome ; 
 
 Extends her fway o'er bleft Arabian plains 115 
 
 Where her own Caliph, liberal Rachldj reigns, 
 
 While all the climes confefs her fpreading power, 
 
 From farthefl Ganges to th' Atlantic fhore. 
 
 Ev'n horrid war, that eril her courfe withftood, 
 And wheim'd, fo oft, her peaceful fhrines in blood, 1 20 
 Now leads thro' paths unfeen her glorious way, 
 Widens her limits, and fecures her fway. 
 From Europe's realms the Chrfftian zealots pour 
 In crowding millions to the Allan fliore ; 
 Mankind their prey, th' unmeaning Crofs their pride, 125 
 And facred vengeance their delufive" guide. 
 Zeal points their way thro' famine, toil and blood, 
 To aid with arms th' imagin'd caufe of God ; 
 Till fields of flaughter whelm the broken hofr, 
 Their pride appall'd, their cpuntlefs myriads loft, 130 
 
 The fad remains to Europe's (bores return, 
 And there tranfplant the arts that eaftern climes adorn. 
 
 The rival barons, whom ambition draws 
 Their wealth to lavifh in the Holy Caufe, 
 In peace retiring, yield the kingly crown, 135 
 
 And blend their counfels to exalt the throne. 
 
 While 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. 23; 
 
 While flaves, no longer purchased with the foil, 
 
 Half wake t<? freedom and protected toil, 
 
 Exchange the feudal for the regal reign, 
 
 In queit of commerce tempt the friendly main, 140 
 
 Find in the magnet's power a faithful guide, 
 
 And ftretch the fail o'er every diilant tide. 
 
 See Rome once more the finer arts attend, 
 Her groves rewarble and her walls afcend ; 
 Bologna's * learned feats arife to fame, 145 
 
 And, Paris, thine fuperior honours claim ; 
 In rival fplendor fair Oxonia fmiles, 
 And fpreads her hleflings o'er the Britifh iiles ; 
 There, like the ftar that leads the orient day, 
 Chaucer dire&s his tuneful fons their way. 150 
 
 See bold Copernicus with ardent foul 
 Explore the ftajrs and teach their orbs to roll ; 
 And Fauftus, f with a happier ftretch of mind, 
 Awakes th' unbounded genius of mankind : 
 
 * The univerfiries of Bologna, Paris and Oxford, as to the 
 dates of their inftitution, are placed in this order by Dr. Robert- 
 fon in his introdu6tion to the hiftory of Charles V. 
 
 f Perhaps there is no fubject in the hiftory of art, on which 
 the aflerticns of writers have been fo various with refpe6l to the 
 name of the inventer, as on that of printing. I have afcribed 
 this invention to John Fauitus ; though I can fcarcely recolleft 
 on which of the numerous authorities I grounded my opinion. 
 One would think a difcovery of this nature would have been 
 
 more 
 
2 3 5 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Wide o'er the world his lettered types difplay i$$ 
 
 The works of Science, and confirm her fway. 
 
 Bold chivalry romantic aids her caufe ; 
 In honour's name the knight his falchion draws j 
 Lur'd by the charms that grace the guafdlefs Fair,, 
 To virtue's cries he bends his generous care, 1 60 
 
 Thro* toil and pain in queft of glory roves, 
 Braves death and danger for the maid he loves ; 
 While fir'd by gallantry, the generous art 
 Improves the manners and amends the heart. 
 
 When pride and rapine held their vengeful fway, 1 65 
 And praife purfu'd. where conqueft led the way, 
 Nature's fereneft grace, the female mind, 
 By rough-brow'd power neglected and confin'd. 
 Unheeded figh'd, mid empire's rude alarms, 
 Unknown its virtues, and enflav'd its charms. 170 
 
 So the lone wild-rofe opes the fweeteft bloom, 
 To fcent th' unc.onfcious thorn, and wither round the tomb. 
 
 more likely than any other to have thrown a fplendor upon 
 its own origin, and to have perpetuated its own hiflory. 
 But the obfcurity in which it is involved is probably 
 owing to this circumftance, that the art was at firft con^ 
 lidered as diabolical ; thofe who firft praftifed it were perfe- 
 cuted ; and as they fled from one country to another, they were 
 probably obliged to change their names. The man who firft 
 carried the art into France, was taken up as a forcerer, and a 
 profecuticn was Carried on againft him as fuch, by the do&ois 
 of -law. 
 
 Bled. 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. 237 
 
 iBIeft Science then, to rugged toils confin'd, 
 Rofe but to conquer and enflave mankind, 
 O'er gentle paflions fpread a harfh controul, 175 
 
 And wak'd the glare of grandeur in the foul. 
 She taught the lance to third for human gore, 
 She taught pale avarice to fwell the ftore, 
 Taught milder arts the peaceful prize to yield, 
 Her Mufe to thunder thro' th' embattled field ; i$0 
 
 In ruin'd realms to build the fhrine of fame, 
 And call celeflial aid to raife a tyrant's name. 
 In chains and darknefs mourn'd the haplefs Fair, 
 The price of gold, th' infulted prize of war, 
 While fires, unfeeling, claim'd the fordid dower, 185 
 And nymphs were fold the flaves of luft and power. 
 
 A happier morn now brightens in the Ikies, 
 Superior arts, in peaceful glory, rife ; 
 While fofter virtues claim the public care, 
 And crowns of laurel grace the rifmg Fair. 90 
 
 While ftates and empires, policies and laws, 
 Lure the firm patriot in the bolder caufe, 
 To ftem the tide of power or guide the war, 
 Like thee to fuffer and like thee to dare 
 With equal honour, as with fofter grace, 195 
 
 The well-taught matron guides the infant race. 
 
 On 
 
238 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 On this broad bafe while Science rears her fane, 
 New toils and triumphs fill her glorious train, 
 Thro' fairer fields me leads th' expanding mind, 
 Glads every clime, and dignifies mankind. 200 
 
 Tho' ilill the pride of kings the ftrife maintains, 
 Their hofts wide fweeping o'er the feas and plains ; 
 With engines new they rend the harmlefs air, 
 And lofe the horrors in the pomp of war. 
 
 While the glad fage to ufeful labours foars, 205 
 
 Tempts other feas and unknown worlds explores, 
 Bids feeble tribes difplay their powers abroad, 
 And regions fmile without the wafte of blood. 
 
 Then, while the daring Mufe, from heav'nly quires, 
 
 With life divine the raptur'dbard infpires, .2io v 
 
 With bolder hand he {hikes the trembling ftring, 
 
 Virtues and loves and deeds like thine to fing. 
 
 No more with vengeful chiefs and furious gods, 
 
 Old Ocean crimfons and Olympus nods, 
 
 Nofheav'ns, convulfive, rend the dark profound, 215 
 
 Nor Titans groan beneath the heaving ground j 
 
 But milder themes ihall wake the poets fong, 
 
 Life in the foul and rapture on the tongue ; 
 
 To moral charms he bids the world attend, 
 
 Fraternal nations focial ties extend, 220 
 
 Thro' 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. 239 
 
 Thro' union'd realms the rage of conqueft ceafe, 
 
 War fink in night, and nature fmile in peace. 
 
 Then fliall he foar fublimer heights, and rove 
 
 O'er brighter walks, and purer climes of love ; 
 
 Rapt into vifion of the bleil abode, 22 c 
 
 From Angel-harps to catch th' infpiring God ; 
 
 Thro' heav'ns o'er-canopy'd by heav'ns, behold 
 
 New funs afcend and other ikies unfold, 
 
 Seraphs and fyftejn'd worlds around him mine, 
 
 And lift his mortal flrains to harmony divine. 230 
 
 To thefe fuperior flights, the Chief rejoin'd, 
 If future years mail raife the roving mind ; 
 Progrefllve arts exalt the foul on high, 
 Peace rule the earth, and faith unfold the fky ; 
 Say, how mall truths like thefe to man be given, 23 r 
 
 Or Science find the limits mark'd by Heaven ? 
 
 In every age flnce reas'ning pride began, 
 And heav'n's dread Sire reveal'd himfelf to man, 
 What different faiths the changing race infpire ! 
 What blind devotions and unhallow'd fire ! 240 
 
 What gods of human form and favage power 
 Cold fear could fafhion or mad zeal adore ! 
 Thefe crowd their temples, thofe their names defpife, 
 In each dire caufe th' exulting martyr dies ; 
 
 Till, 
 
240 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Till, fenfe renounc'd, and Virtue driv'n afar, 24^ 
 
 Rage fires the realms, religion founds to war; 
 And the firft bleffing Heav'n for earth defign'd, 
 Proves the fevereft curfe that waits mankind. 
 
 Say then, my Guide, if heav'nly wifdom gave 
 To erring man a life beyond the grave 250 
 
 If one creative Power, one living foul 
 Produced all beings and preferves the whole ; 
 Who, thron'd in light, with full perfection bleit, 
 Mid changing worlds, enjoys eternal reft ; 
 While man, ftill grov'ling, paflionate, and blind, 55 
 Wars with his neighbour and deftroys his kind- 
 Say, what connecting chain, in endlefs line, 
 Links earth to heav'n, and mortal with divine, 
 Applies alike to every age and clime, 
 
 And lifts the foul beyond the bounds of time ; 260 
 
 And when {hall Science trace th' immortal way, 
 And hail religion in her native day ; 
 
 The Power return'd : Thy race fliall foon behold 
 Reafon expand and moral lights unfold ; 
 While Science rifes, freed from pedant pride, 265 
 
 Of truth the ftandard and of faith the guide. 
 
 The paflions wild, that fvvay the changing mind, 
 The reafoning powers, her watchful guides defigivd, 
 
 Each, 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. * 4 t 
 
 Each, unreflrain'd, alike fubveft the plan, 
 
 Miilead the judgment, and betray the man ; 270 
 
 Hence raging zeal or fceptic fcorn prevails, 
 
 And arms deckle the faith, where wifdom fails. 
 
 Of human paffions, one above the reft. 
 
 Fear, love, or envy, rules in every breaft ; 
 
 And, while it varies with the changing clime, 37 C 
 
 Now ftoops to earth, now lifts the foul fubiirae, 
 
 Forms local creeds of fuperftitious lore, 
 
 Creates the god, and bids the world adore. , . 
 
 Lo ! at the Lama's feet, as lord of all, 
 Age following age in dumb devotion fail ! 280 
 
 The youthful god, mid fuppliant kings enmrin'd, 
 Difpenfmg fate and ruling half mankind, 
 Sits, with contorted limbs, a filent flave, 
 
 An early victim of a fecret grave. 
 
 And, where the mofque's dim arches bend on high, 285 
 
 Mecca's dead prophet mounts the mimic fky ; 
 
 While pilgrim hofts, o'er tracklefs deferts come, 
 
 Crowd the deep fhrine, and worfhip round his tomb I 
 
 See Memphian altars reek with human gore, 
 
 Gods hifs from caverns, or in cages roar ; 290 
 
 C Nile 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Nile pours from heav'n a tutelary flood, 
 
 And vales produce the vegetable god ! * 
 
 Two rival Powers the Magian faith infpire, 
 
 The fire of Darknefs, and the fource of Fire : 
 
 Evil and Good, in thefe contending rife, 295 
 
 And each, by turns, the fovereign of the fkies ! 
 
 Sun, ftars, and planets round the earth behold 
 
 Their fanes of marble and their Jdirines of gold ; 
 
 The fea, the grove, the harveft and the vine 
 
 Spring from their gods, and claim a fource divine ; 300 
 
 While heroes, kings, and fages of their times, 
 
 Tliofe gods on earth, are gods in happier climes , 
 
 Minos in judgment fits, and Jove in power, 
 
 And Odin's friends are feafted ftill with gore. 
 
 Yet wifdom's eye with juft contempt defcries 305 
 
 Thefe rites abfurd, and bids the world defpife : 
 
 Then reasoning powers o'er paflion gain the fway, 
 
 And (hroud in deeper glooms the mental ray. 
 
 See the proud fage, with philofophic eye, 
 
 Rove thro' all climes, and trace the flarry Iky, - 310 
 
 The fyftems mark, their various laws purfue, 
 
 The God flill rifing to his raptur'd view ! 
 
 * O fanftas gentes, quibus haec nafcuntur in hortis 
 
 Numina ! W. Sat. 1, 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH, 243 
 
 But what this God ? and what the great defign, 
 
 Why creatures live, or worlds around him (hine ? 
 
 If all perfection dwelt in him alone, 3 1 5 
 
 If power, he cries, and wifdom were his own, 
 
 No pain, no guilt, no variance could annoy 
 
 The realm of peace, the univerfe of joy. 
 
 Yet reafon here, with homeward ken, defcries 
 From jarring parts what dark diforders rife ! 320 
 
 From froft and fire what florms untemper'd rave ! 
 What plagues, what earthquakes crowd the gaping grave ! 
 Pain, toil, and torture give the infant breath, 
 His life is mis'ry and his portion death. 
 From moral ills a like definition reigns, 325 
 
 War founds the trump, and {laughter dyes the plains , 
 While wrath divine proclaims a heavier doom, 
 And guilt, aftonifh'd, looks beyond the tomb. 
 Whence thefe unnumber'd caufeiefs ills ? he cries 
 Could wifdom form them, or could love devifo ? 330 
 
 No love, no wifdom, no confiftent plan, 
 No God in heav'n, nor future life to man ! 
 
 While thus, thro' nature's walks, he foars on high, 
 Acquits all guilt, difpeoples all the fky^ 
 Denies unfeen exigence, and believes 335 
 
 No form beyond what human fenfe perceives, 
 
 Qa An 
 
244 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 An anxious fearch impels th' inquiring mind , 
 
 Its own bright effence and its powers to find. 
 
 From confcious thought * his reas'ning force he plies, 
 
 And deep in fearch the active foul defcries ; 340 
 
 * Ego cogito, ergo fum. Metaphysical writers in general 
 may be divided into two claffes : The firft clafs, again/I the 
 didates of their rcafon, reject a propofition, becaufe it is con 
 trary to the opinions of the age, and to the traditions handed 
 down from their anceftors ; when, for the molt part, thefe tra 
 ditions are the fruit of an original deception impofed upon the 
 fenfes, or of an artful fable contrived by interefted men. The 
 other clafs, again/I the evidence of their fenfes, rejeft a propofi 
 tion, becaufe it cannot be proved by an abftract theory previ- 
 oufly fettled in their own minds, and fuppofed to have been 
 eftablifhed by a chain of reafoning. 
 
 It is difficult to fay which of thefe clafles deviates the moft 
 from that moral fenfe, which is the refult of rational information, 
 and the only criterion of truth that we are able to obtain. The 
 firft clafs has been in all ages the fupporters of the religion of 
 the country where they have lived ; whatever may have been 
 the abfurdities of that religion, and whatever degree of wicked- 
 nefs may have been enjoined in its practice. The fecond clafs, 
 not only overturns all religion, but ftrikes at the root of morals, 
 deftroys the obligations of fociety, oppofes the common princi 
 ples of prudence in the phyiical concerns of life andtheprelerva- 
 tion of the fpecies. The former fyflem has done the moft mifchief 
 in the world, becaufe its doctrines are always calculated to gain 
 the belief of the great body of mankind, and to keep them in per 
 petual contention about the particular modes of faith that hap 
 pen to predominate in different focieties. The latter is lefs per 
 nicious, becaufe its abfurdities are too glaring to impofe upon 
 the common ienfe of men. 
 
 The general happinefs of mankind is doubtlefs to be attained 
 by purfuing a middle coi^rfe, and making ufe of all the aids that 
 arife from our phyfical fenfes, from our reafon, and from the 
 experience of former ages, in rectifying and enlightening the 
 confciences of men, or the moral fenfe^ which is the portion of 
 every human creature. 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. 34$ 
 
 Yet fenfe and fubfbnce no relation claim, 
 
 That dupes the reafon, this exifts a name : 
 
 All matter, mind, fenfe, knowledge, pleafure, pain, 
 
 Seem the wild phantoms of the vulgar brain ; 
 
 Reafon, collected, fits above the fcheme, 345 
 
 Proves God and Nature but an idle dream, 
 
 In one great learned doubt invelopes all, 
 
 And whelms its own exiftence in the fall ! 
 
 Thefe wide extremes of paffion and of pride 
 A while on earth thy changing race divide ; 25 
 
 That man may find his limits and his Jaws, 
 Where zeal inflames, or coward caution awes ; 
 And learn, by thefe, the happier courfe to fleer, 
 Nor fink too low, nor mount beyond his fphere. 
 And foon that happier courfe thy race fhall gain, 355 
 
 And zealots rave, and fceptics doubt, in vain ; 
 While reafon, fenfe, and paflion aid the foul, 
 Science her guide, and truth th* eternal goal. 
 
 Firft, his own powers the man, with care, defcries, ^ Y 
 What nature gives, arid various art fupplies; 360 
 
 Rejects the ties of controversial rules, 
 The pride of names, the prejudice of fchools ; 
 The fure foundation lays, on which to rife, 
 To look thto ? earth and meditate the ikies : 
 
 And 
 
* 4 6 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 And finds fome general laws in every breaft, 365 
 
 Where ethics, faith^ and politics may reft. 
 
 Of human powers, the Senfes always chief, 
 Produce inftrncYion or enforce belief ; 
 Reafon, as next in fway, the balance bears, 
 Receives their tidings, and with fkill compares, 370 
 
 Reftrains wild fancy, calms th' impaflfion'd foul, 
 Illumes the judgment, and refines the whole. 
 Senfe, the great fource of knowledge, ever juft, 
 High in command, but faithful to its truft, 
 Aid of this life, and fuited to its place, 375 
 
 Giv'n to fecure, but not exalt the race 
 Defcries no God, nor claims fuperior birth, 
 And knows no life beyond the bounds of earth. 
 Reafon, tho' taught by Senfe to range on high, 
 To trace the ftars and meafure all the fky ; 380 
 
 Tho' fancy, mem'ry, forelight, fill her train, 
 And o'er the beaft {he lifts the pride of man, 
 Yet, ftill to matter, form, and fpace confin'd, 
 Or calculations that amufe mankind, 
 Could ne'er, unaided, pierce the mental gloom, 385 
 
 Explore new fcenes beyond the clofmg tomb, 
 Reach with immortal hope the bleft abode, 
 Or raife one thought of Spirit, or of God. 
 
 Yet 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH.^ 247 
 
 Yet names of God, and powers of heav'nly drain 
 
 All nations reverence and all tongues contain ; 390 
 
 Thro' every age the confcious mind perceives, 
 
 Reafon pronounces, and the Senfe believes. 
 
 What caufe myfterious could the thought impart, 
 
 Not taught by nature nor acquired by art ? 
 
 It fpeaks of nature's God no matter when 395 
 
 The Name was caught, 'tis never loft by men j 
 
 From clime to clime, from age to age it fiies, 
 
 Sounds thro' the world, and echoes to the ikies. 
 
 It proves him, felf-reveaTd\ and all the plan 
 
 On this connexion refis, of God and man. 400 
 
 Obferve, in man, defires immortal given, 
 To range o'er, earth and climb the heights of heaven ; 
 Yet fear and confcious guilt his flight reftrain, 
 His God offended, and his wimes vain : 
 The wrath divine, impending on his bread, 405 
 
 Precludes the hope v pf refuge and of reft ; 
 He feeks the fane, obtefts th' avenging Ikies, 
 Pours the full tear, and yields the facrifice ; 
 Some foreign aid, fome mediating grace, 
 He feeks to fhieldhim from his Maker's face. 410 
 
 All forms of worfhip that engage mankind, 
 In different climes to various Names confin'd,.-, ^ ., 
 
 Require 
 
248 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Require of fuppliants fome external aid, 
 
 Some victim offer'd, or fome penance paid, 
 
 Some middle name, or reconciling plan, 41$ 
 
 To footh the Godhead and abfolve the man. 
 
 This thought, fo wide difFus'd thro' all mankind, 
 
 Rofe not from earth, or force of human mind ; 
 
 From heav'n reveal'd, it ihows.fome fov'reign fcheme, 
 
 To link this nature with the Power fupreme, 420 
 
 From guilt and pain to lift the foul on high, 
 
 And ope a happier fcene, a world bey end the iky. 
 
 Thus in clear light to philofophic eyes, 
 While books on books, and creeds on creeds arife ? 
 Reafon refin'd with liberal glance furveys 425 
 
 Th' oppofing faiths and various modes of praife ; 
 Yet finds in all, what nature might approve, 
 A God of juftice reconciled by love ; 
 With joy beholds th' accordant fcheme of Heaven, 
 Dire vengeance footh'd, a rule of action given, 430 
 
 Man-freed from pain, the ftains of guilt remov'd, 
 To angels likenM, and by Heav'n approved, 
 Death bound in chains, from his old empire hurl'd, 
 And peace and union promised to the world. 
 
 In this harmonious round, united rife 435 
 
 Power to create, and Wifdom to devife ; 
 
 While 
 
BOOK THE EIGHTH. 249 
 
 While love fupreme before all action flow'd, 
 
 The firft, the laft, the chain of general good, 
 
 Thro' nature's range to fpread the fway divine, 
 
 And heav'n and earth in mild accordance join ; 440 
 
 To one great Moral Senfe all fenfe to draw, 
 
 Strong as neceflity, and fixt as law. 
 
 This Moral Senfe thro' all the fyftem known, 
 Image and brightnefs of th' eternal throne, 
 By whom all Wifdom fhines, all Power extends, 445 
 
 God flands reveal'd, and heav'n with nature blends, 
 Thro' earth and (kies proclaim'd th' indulgent plan. 
 And fpoke the law to angel and to man. 
 It taught how pain and death and all their woes 
 From wayward ftrife and breach of order rofe ; 450 
 
 How each difcordant wifli, the foul that fwells 
 'Gainft human blifs and heavenly power rebels. 
 While one clear rule difplays th' eternal code, 
 70 love the neighbour, is to pleafe the God. 
 
 Here the laft flights of fcience (hall afcend, 4$ 
 
 To look thro' life, and fenfe with reafon blend, 
 View the great fource of love, that flows abroad, 
 Spreads to all creatures, centres ftill in God, 
 Lives thro' the whole, from nature's compact fprings, 
 Orders, reverfes, fills the fum of things, 460 
 
 Commands 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Commands all fenfc to feel, all life to prove 
 Th* attracting force of univerfal love. 
 
 Here ends the toiifome fearch ; in this may reft 
 The doubts and fears that move the lab'ring breafl. 
 As, on an arch of ftone, fome temple ftands, 465 
 
 Looks thro' the clouds, and fhines to diftant lands ; 
 The firm foundations, open to the fight, 
 Crowd, as it grows, and ftrengthen with the weight ; 
 Thus, on the characters of God and Man, 
 By Heav'n reveal'd in this conformant plan, 470 
 
 The beauteous fyftem refls ; and tho' awhile 
 Mad zeal overload it, and cold fcorn revile, 
 Stands, felf-exalted, filPd with native light, 
 Firm to the faith, and growing on the fight. 
 It fpeaks one fimple, univerfal caufe, 475 
 
 "Which time and -fpace from one great centre draws ; 
 Whence this unfolded, that began its flight, 
 Worlds fill'd the flues, and nature roll'd in light ; 
 Whither all beings tend ; and where, at laft, 
 Their progrefs, changes, imperfections, part, 480 
 
 Matter fliall turn to light ; to pieafure, pain, 
 Strife end in union, angel form in man ; 
 From ftage to ftage, from life to life, refin'd, 
 < Ail centre, whence they fprang, in one eternal Mind. 
 ,C> 
 
THE 
 
 VISION o F C O L U M B U S, 
 
 
 
 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 
 
 vljion refumed, and extended over the whole earth. 
 Prefcnt char after of different nations. Future progrefs of 
 Jociety with rejpeft to commerce, difcoveries, the opening of 
 canals, philofophical, medical, and political knowledge, the 
 ajfimilation and final harmony of all languages. Caufc of 
 the firft confujion of tongues explained, and the effefl 
 tf their union defcrlbed. View of a general council of all 
 nations ajjembled to ejlablifh the political harmony of man 
 kind, Conclufan. 
 
253 
 
 THE 
 
 VISION OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
 N 
 
 O W, round the yielding canopy of fhadc, , 
 
 Again the Guide his heav'nly power difplay'd. 
 Sudden the ftars their trembling fires withdrew, 
 Returning fplendors burft upon the view ; 
 Floods of unfolding light the ikies adorn, 
 
 And more than mid-day glories grace the morn. 
 So fhone the earth, as if the ftarry train, 
 Broad as full funs, had faiPd th' etherial plain ; 
 When no diftinguifh'd orb could ftrike the fight, 
 But one clear blaze of all-furrounding light IO 
 
 O'erflow'd the vault of heav'n. For now in view 
 Remoter climes and future ages drew ; 
 While deeds of happier fame, in long array, 
 Call'd into vifion, fill the new-born day. 
 
 Far as th'angelic Power could lift the eye, i$ 
 
 Or earth or ocean bend the yielding iky, 
 
 
 Or 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS 
 
 Or circling funs awake the breathing gale, 
 
 Drake lead the way, or Cook extend the fail ; 
 
 All lands, all feas, that boaft a prefent name, 
 
 And all that unborn time fhail give to fame, ao 
 
 Around the Chief in fair expanfion rife, 
 
 And earth's whole circuit bounds the level'd fkies. 
 
 He faw the nations tread their different fhores, 
 Ply their own toils and claim their local powers. 
 He mark'd what tribes ftill rove the favage wafte, 25 
 
 What cultur'd realms the fweets of plenty, tafte ; 
 Where arts and virtues fix their golden reign, 
 Or peace adorns, or {laughter dyes the plain. 
 He faw the reftlefs Tartar, proud to roam, 
 Move with his herds, and fpread his tranfient home ; 30 
 Thro' the vail tra&s of China's fix'd domain, 
 The fons of dull contentment plough the plain ; 
 The gloomy Turk afcends the blood-ftain'd car, 
 And Ruffian banners {hade the plains of war ; 
 Brazilia's wilds and Afric's burning fands 35 
 
 With bickering ftrife inflame the furious bands ; 
 On bleft Atlantic ifles, and Europe's {hores, 
 Proud wealth and commerce heap their growing {lores ; 
 While his own weftern world, in profpet fair, 
 Calms her brave fons, now breathing from the war, 40 
 
 Unfolds 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 2$$ 
 
 Unfolds her harbours, fpread the genial foil, 
 And welcomes freemen to the cheerful toil. 
 
 When thus the Power : In this extended view, 
 Behold the paths thy changing race purfue. 
 See, thro' the whole, the fame progreflive plan, 45 
 
 That draws, for mutual fuccour, man to man, 
 From friends to tribes, from tribes to realms afcend, 
 Their powers, their int'refts, and their paffions blend ; 
 Adorn their manners, focial virtues fpread, 
 Enlarge their compacts, and extend their trade ; 50 
 
 While chiefs like thee, with perfevering foul, 
 Bid vent'rous barks to new difcoveries roll. 
 High in the north, and tow'rd -the fouthern ikies, 
 New ifles and nations greet the roving eyes ; 
 Till each remoteft realm, by friendfhip join'd, 5 j 
 
 Links in the chain that binds all human kind, 
 United banners rife at laft unfurl'd, 
 And wave triumphant round th' accordant world. 
 
 As fmall, fwift ilreams their furious courfe impel, 
 Till meeting waves their winding currents fwell .; 60 
 
 Then widening fweep thro' each defcending plain, 
 And move majeftic to the boundlefs main ; 
 'Tis thus fociety's fmall fources rife ; 
 Through paffions wild their devious progrefs lies j 
 
 Int'refl 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Jnt'reft and faith and pride and power withftancl, 65 
 
 And mutual ills the growing views expand ; 
 
 Till tribes, and ftates, and empires find their place, 
 
 * And one wide int'reft fways the peaceful race. 
 
 * Since finifhing the Poem ( the whole of which, except a 
 fmall part of the feventh Book, was written previous to the 
 conclusion of the late war ) the Author is happy to find that 
 his general ideas, refpedting the future progrefs and final per 
 fection of human fociety, are fupported by thofe of fo reipec- 
 table a \yriter as Dr. Price. That amiable Philofopher, in his 
 Obfervations on the importance of the American Revolution, remarks, 
 ** That Reafon, as well as Tradition and Revelation, leads us 
 ** to expect that a more improved and happy ftate of human 
 " affairs will take place before the final confummation of all 
 ** things. The world has been hitherto gradually improving ; 
 *' light and knowledge have been gaining ground, and human 
 * c life at prefent, compared wtfh what it once was, is much the 
 ** fame that a youth approaching to manhood is, compared 
 " with an infant. " 
 
 It has long been the opinion of the Author, that fuch a ftate 
 of peace and happinefs as is foretold in fcripture^ and commonly 
 called the millennial period, may be rationally expected to be 
 introduced without a miracle. Nee dws interfit nifi dignus vindicc 
 nodus, is a maxim, as ufeful to a Philofopher as to a Poet. 
 Although, from the hiftory of mankind, it appears, that the 
 progrefs of improvement has been flow and often interrupted, 
 yet it gives pleafure to obferve the caufes of thefe interruptions, 
 and to difcern the end they were defigned in the courfe of 
 Providence to anfwer, in accelerating the lame events, which 
 they feemed for awhile to retard. The ftate of the Arts and 
 Sciences among the ancients, viewed with reference to the event 
 under confederation, was faulty or rather unfortunate, in two 
 particulars ; fir ft, in their comparative eftimation ; and fecondly^ 
 in their not fiouriming in more than one nation at a time- 
 Thefe circumftances were highly favourable to the exertions of 
 individual genius, and may be affigned both as caufes of the 
 univerial deftru&ion of the arts by the Gothic conqueft, and 
 
 a* 
 
BOOK THE NINTH, 457. 
 
 And fee, in hade, the deltin'd hour advance, 
 Secar'd by leagues, commercial navies dance ; 70 
 
 as reafons why \ve mould not greatly lament that destruction. 
 From the iituation of mankind in the days of ancient literature, 
 it was natural that thofe arts which depend on the imagination, 
 filch as Architecture, Statuary, Painting, Eloquence, and 
 Poetry, mould claim the higheft rank in the estimation of a 
 people. In feveral, and perhaps all of thefe, the ancients 
 remain unrivalled. But thefe are not the arts which tend 
 greatly to the general improvement of mankind. The man, 
 who in thofe days mould have afcertained the true figure of the 
 earth, would have rendered more fervice to the world, than 
 lie that could originate a heaven and fill it with all the Gods of 
 Homer ; and, had the expences of the Egyptian pyramids been 
 employed in mrniming fleets of difcovery, to be fent out of the 
 Mediterranean, the civilized world would probably never have 
 been overrun by Barbarians. But the fciences of Geography, 
 Navigation, ana 1 Commerce, with all their confequential im 
 provements in natural philofophy and humanity, could not, 
 
 fiich as require the ftrongeft exertion of the human genius, and 
 would be entitled to the higheft rank in any age of univedal 
 refinement. As thefe arts were adapted to gratify the vanity of 
 a prince, to fire the ambition of a hero, or to gain a point in a 
 popular affembly, they were carried to a degree of perfection, 
 which prevented their being relimed or underflood by bar 
 barians. The literature of the world therefore defcended with 
 the line of conquefl from one nation to another, till the whole 
 was fwallowed up in the Roman Empire. There its tendency 
 xvas to infpire a contempt for nations lefs civilized, and to induce 
 the Romans to coniider all mankind as the objects of their in- 
 iult, and all countries as the fcenes of their military parade. Thefe 
 eircumftances, through a courfe of ages, prepared and finally 
 opened a fcene of wretchednefs, at which the human mind has been 
 taught to fhudder ; but it was wifely calculated to reduce man 
 kind 
 
 R 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 In views fo juft all Europe's Powers combine, 
 And the wide world approves the bleft defign. 
 
 kind to a fituation, capable of commencing regular and exten- 
 live improvements. And, however novel the aflertion may 
 appear, the Author will venture to fay, that, as to the profpeft 
 of univerfal civilization, mankind were in a much more eligible 
 fituation in the time of Charlemagne than they were in the days 
 of Auguftus. The final definition of the Roman empire left 
 the nations of Europe in circumftances fimilar to each other; 
 and their confequent rivalfhip prevented any difproportionate 
 refinement from appearing in any particular region. The feeds 
 of government, firmly rooted in the principles of the feudal 
 fyftem, laid the foundation of that balance of power, which dif- 
 courages the Csefars and Alexanders of mankind from attempt 
 ing the conqueft of the world. 
 
 It feems necefTary, that the arrangement of events in civilizing 
 the world fhould be in the following order : Firft, all parts of it 
 muft be confiderably peopled ; frcondly, the different nations 
 muft be known to each other ; and thirdly, their imaginary wants 
 muft be increafed, in order to infpire a paffion for commerce. 
 The firft of thefe objects was probably not accompli fried till a 
 late period. The fecond, for three centuries paft, has been 
 greatly accelerated, but is now very far from being completely 
 obtained. The third is always a necellary confequence of the 
 two former. The fpirit of commerce is happily calculated to 
 open an amicable intercourfe between all countries, to foften the 
 horrors of war, to enlarge the field of fcience and fpeculation, 
 and to aflimilate the manners, feelings, and languages of all na 
 tions. This leading principle, in its remoter confequences, will 
 produce a thoufand advantages in favour of government and 
 legiflation, give Patriotifm the air of Philanthropy, induce all men 
 to regard each other as brethren and friends, eradicate all kinds 
 of literary, religious, and political fuperftition, prepare the minds 
 of all mankind for the rational reception of truth, and finally 
 evince that fuch a fyftem of Providence, as appears in the unfold 
 ing of thefe events, is the beft poffible fyftem to produce the 
 happinefs of men. I conceive it is no objection to this plan, 
 
 -that 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 259 
 
 Tho' inland realms awhile the combat wage, 
 
 And hold in ling' ring flrife th' unfettled age ; 
 
 Yet no rude war, that fweeps the crimfon plain, 75 
 
 Shall dare difturb the labours of the main. 
 
 For Heav'n impartial fpread the watery way, 
 
 Liberal as air and unconfin'd as day ; 
 
 hat the progrefs has hitherto been flow ; when we confider the 
 vaft magnitude of the objecl', the obftruclions to be removed, 
 and the great length of tin>e that will probably be taken to ac- 
 complifh it. To refume the companion of Dr. Price, perhaps 
 the world can hardly be faid as yet to be " approaching to man 
 hood ; " probably we are rather ftill in our infancy ; we have 
 not yet been able to wander over the whole houfe and obferve 
 upon the furniture. It is poffible that fome confiderable revo 
 lutions are yet to happen, before the progrefs will be entirely free 
 from embarraflments. But the general fyilem appears fo rational 
 and complete, that it furnifhes a new fource of fatisfaftion, in 
 contemplating the apparent difpenfations of Heaven. 
 
 The author firft ventured upon thefe ideas, in the courfe of 
 the Poem, with all the timidity of youtti^ determining not to 
 rifk a ferious illuilration of the fentiment in profe. But finding 
 that a theory fo pleafing to himfelf has not been unnoticed by 
 others, he feels a greater confidence in the fubje^t, and hopes the 
 importance of it will apologize to the reader for fo long a note. 
 
 ^ Trie forgoing remarks were written and publin'ied in the 
 firft edition of this poem in the year 1787. Since that period, 
 the great event of the French revolution has doubtlefs induced 
 the friends of humanity, in Europe as well as in America, to 
 partake the opinions of the author with refpeft to the future 
 progrefs of fociety ; and to look forward with a degree of cer 
 tainty to the general eftablifhment of republican principles, 
 univerlal civilization, and perpetual peace. 
 
 R 2 That 
 
260 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 That every diftant land the wealth might ihare, 
 
 Exchange their fruits, and fill their treafures there ; $0 
 
 Their fpeech aflimilate, their empires blend, 
 
 And mutual int'reft fix the mutual friend. 
 
 The Hero look'd : beneath his wondering eyes 
 
 Bright ftreamers lengthen round the feas and fkies ; 
 
 The countlefs nations open all their ftores, 85 
 
 Load every wave and crowd the mailed ihores ; 
 The fans, in mingling mazes, fweep the air, 
 And commerce triumphs o'er the rage of war. 
 
 From Baltic dreams, that fwell in lonely pride, 
 From Rhine's long courfe, and Texel's lab'ring tide, go 
 From Gallia's coaft, from Albion's hoary height, 
 And fair Hibernia, cloth'd in purer light, 
 Hifpania's ftrand, that two broad oceans lave, 
 From Senegal's and Tagiis' winding wave, 
 The loaded barks, in peaceful fquadrons, rife, 95 
 
 And wave their cloudly curtains to the ikies. 
 Thro' the deep ftrait that leads the Midland tide, 
 The fails look forth,, and fwell their beauteous pride ; 
 Where Afia's Hies and utmoil ihores extend, 
 Like riling funs the fheeted mails afcend, 100 
 
 And join with peaceful toil the friendly train, 
 No more to 'cdmbat on the liquid plaia., 
 
 Jn 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 261 
 
 In diftant glory, where the watery way 
 
 Spreads the blue borders of defcending day, 
 
 Unfolding flags from every current fvveep, 105 
 
 Pride of the world ?nd daughters of the deep. 
 
 From arcYic heav'ns, and deep in fouthern fides, 
 
 Where froft recedes as blooms of culture rife 
 
 Where eaftern Amur's lenth'ning current glides, 
 
 Where California breaks the billowy tides, I IO 
 
 Peruvian ftreams their golden margins boaft, 
 
 And fpreading Chili leads thechannell'd coaft, 
 
 The pinions fwell ; till all the cloud-like train, 
 
 From pole to pole o'erfliades the whitening main. 
 
 So fome imperial Seraph, plac'd on high, ll^ 
 
 From heaven's fublimeft to\ver o'erlook'd the fky ; 
 
 When fpace unfolding heard the voice^f God> 
 
 And funs and ftars arid fyftems rollM abroad, 
 
 Caught their firft fplendors from th' all-beaming Eye, 
 
 Began their years, and vaulted round the fky ; 1 20 
 
 Their mingling fpheres in bright confufion play, 
 
 Exchange their beams, and fill the new-born day. 
 
 He faw, as widely fpreads til' unchannell'd plain, 
 Where inland realms for ages bloom'd in vain, 
 Canals, long- winding, ope a watery flight, 125 
 
 And diftant ftreams and feas and lakes unite. 
 
 R 3 Where 
 
26*' THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Where Darien hills o'er look the gulphy tide, 
 By human art the ridgy banks divide > 
 Afcending fails the opening pafs purfue, 
 And waft the fparkling treafures of Peru. 150 
 
 Janeiro's dream from Plata winds his way, 
 Madera greets the waves of Paraguay. 
 From rich Albania, tow'rd the falling fun, 
 Back thro' the midland numerous channels run, 
 Meet the far lakes, their beauteous towns that lave, 1 33 
 And Hudfon join to broad Ohio's wave. 
 From dim fuperior, whofe unfathom'd fea 
 Drinks the mild fun-beams of the fetting day, 
 New paths, unfolding, lead their v/atery pride, 
 And towns and empires rife along their fide, 140 
 
 To Miflifippi's fource the pafTes bend, 
 And to the broad Pacific main extend. 
 From the red banks of bleft Arabia's tide, 
 Thro' the dread Iflhmus, waves unwonted glide ; 
 From Europe's crowded fhores while bounding fails 145 
 Look through the pafs and call the Afian gales. 
 Volga and Obi diftant oceans join, 
 And the long Danube meets the rolling Rhine ; 
 While other ftreams, that cleave the midland plain, 
 Spread their new courfes to the diftant main* 150 
 
 He 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 263 
 
 He faw th' afpiring genius of the age, 
 Soar in the bard and ftrengthen in the fage ; 
 With daring thought, thro' time's long flight extend, 
 Rove the wide earth, and with the heav'n afcend ; , 
 Bid each fond wifli, that leads the foul abroad, 155 
 
 Breathe to all men, to nature, and to God. 
 
 He faw, where pale difeafes wont to brave 
 The force of art, and crowd th' untimely grave, 
 With long- wrought life the nations learn to glow, 
 And blooming health adorn the locks of fnow. 1 60 
 
 A countlefs train the healing fcience aid, 
 Its power eftablim, and its bleflings fpread ; 
 In every fhape, that varying matter gives, 
 That refrs or ripens, vegejLates or lives, 
 By chemic power the fprings of health they trace, 165 
 
 And add new beauties to the joyous race. 
 
 While thus the realms their mutual glories lend, 
 Their well-taught fires, the cares of ftate attend ; 
 Bled with each human art, and fkill'd to find 
 Each wild device that prompts the wayward mind ; 170 
 What foft reflraints th' untemper'd bread requires, 
 To tafle new joys and cherifh new deiires, 
 Expand the felfim to the focial flame, 
 And fire the faul to deeds of nobler fame, 
 
 R 4 They 
 
264 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS 
 
 They fee, in all the bonded paths of praife, i * - 
 
 What partial views heroic ardour raife ; 
 
 What mighty ftates on others' ruins flood, 
 
 And built, fecure, their haughty feats in blood : 
 
 How public virtue's ever-borrow'd name 
 
 With proud applaufe hath grac'd the deeds of fhame ; -180 
 
 Bade Rome's imperial ftawdard wave fublime, 
 
 And wild ambition havock every clime ; 
 
 From chief to chief the kindling fptrit ran, 
 
 The heirs of fame and enemies of man. 
 
 Where Grecian ftates in even balance hung. 185 
 
 Arud warm'd with jealous fires the fage's tongue, 
 Th' exclufive ardour cherim'd in the breaft 
 Love to one land, and hatred to the reft. 
 And where the flames, of civil difcord rage, 
 And kindred arms deftru&ive combat wage, 196 
 
 The glofs of virtue rifes, ftill the fame, 
 
 I 
 
 To build a Caefar's as a Pompey's name 
 
 r 
 
 No more the noble patriotic mmdy 
 To narrow views and local laws cbhfin'd, 
 'Gainil neighb'ring lands directs the public rage, 195 
 
 Plods for a realm or counfels for an age ; 
 But lifts a larger thought, and reaches far, 
 Beyond the powerj beyond the wifh of war j 
 
 For 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 26; 
 
 For realms and ages forms the general aim, 
 Makes patriot views and moral views the lame ; 200 
 
 Sees with prophetic eye, in peace combin'd, 
 The ftrength and happinefs of human kind. 
 Now had the Hero, with delighted eye, 
 Rov'd o'er the climes that lengthen'd round the fky. 
 When the bleft Guide his heav'nly power difplay'd, 205 
 The earth all trembles and the vifions fade : 
 Thro' other fcenes defcending ages roll, 
 And flill new wonders open on his foul. 
 Again his view the range of nature bounds, 
 Confines the concave, and the world furrounds ; 2 1 
 
 When the wide nations all arife more near, 
 And a mix'd tumult murmurs in -his ear. 
 At firft, like heavy thunders, borne afar, 
 Or the dire conflict of a moving war, 
 Or waves refounding on the craggy fhore, 2 15 
 
 Hoarfe roll'd the loud-ton'd, undulating roar. 
 At length the founds, like human voices, rife, 
 And different nations' undiftinguifli'd cries 
 
 Flow from all climes around in wild career, 
 
 / 
 And grate harm difcord in the adiing ear. 226 
 
 Now more diftincl: the wide concuffion grown, 
 Rolls forth, at times, an accent like his own ; 
 
 While 
 
266 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 While thoufand tongues from different regions pour, 
 
 And drown all words in one convulfmg roar. 
 
 By turns the founds affimilating rife, 225 
 
 And fmoother voices gain upon the flues ; 
 
 Mingling and foft'ning dill, in every gale, 
 
 O'er the harm tones harmonious drains prevail. 
 
 At lad a fimple, univerfal found 
 
 Fills every clime and fooths the world around ; 230 
 
 From echoing fhores the fwelling drain replies, 
 
 And moves melodious o'er the warbling ikies. 
 
 Such wild commotions as he heard and view'd, 
 In fix'd adonidiment the Hero dood> 
 And thus befought the Guide : Celedial friend, 235 
 
 What good to man can thefe dread fcenes intend ? 
 What dire didrefs attends that boding found, 
 That breathes hoarfe thunder o'er the trembling ground ? 
 War fure has ceas'd ; or have my erring eyes 
 Mifread the glorious vifions of the fkies ? 240 
 
 Tell then, my Seer, if future earthquakes fleep, 
 Clos'd in the confcious caverns of the deep, 
 Waiting the day of vengeance, when to roll, 
 And rock the rending pillars of the pole ? 
 Or tell if aught more dreadful to my race, 245 
 
 In thefe dark figns thy heav'nly wifdom trace ? 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 267 
 
 And why the wild confufion melts again, 
 In the fmootli glidings of a tuneful flrain ? 
 
 The voice of Heav'n replied : Thy fears give o'er; 
 The rage of war fhall fweep the plains no more ; 250 
 
 No dire diftrefs thefe fignal founds foredoom, 
 But give the pledge of peaceful years to come ; 
 The tongues of nations, here, harmonious blend, 
 Till one pure language thro' the earth extend. 
 
 Thou know' ft, when impious Babel dar'd arife, 255 
 To brave th' uplifted arches of the ikies, 
 Tumultuous difcord feiz'd the trembling bands, 
 Oppos'd their labours, and unnerv'd their hands, 
 Difpers'd the bickering tribes, and drove them far, 
 To roam the wafte and fire their fouls for war ; 260 
 Bade kings arife, and from their feats be hurl'd, 
 And pride and conqueft wander o'er the world. 
 
 In this the, marks of heav'nly wifdom fliine, 
 And fpeak the counfel, as the hand, divine. 
 In that far age, when o'er the world's, broad wafte 265 
 Untravers'd^ wiles their gloomy fhadows caft, 
 If men, while pride and power the bread inflam'd, 
 By fpeech allied, one natal region claim'd, 
 No timorous tribe a different clime would gain, 
 Or lift the fail, or dare the billowy main, 270 
 
 Fix'd 
 
THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Fix'd in a central fpot, their luft of power 
 Would rage infatiate, and the race devour ; 
 A howling waite th' unpeopled world remain, 
 And oceans roll, and climes extend in vain. 
 
 Far other counfels, in th' Eternal Mind, 275 
 
 Lead on th' unconfcious fteps of human kind ; 
 O'er- rule the ills their daring crimes produce, 
 By ways unfeen, to ferve the happieft ufe. 
 For this, the early tribes were taught to range, 
 For this, their language and their laws to change ; 280 
 Tempt the wide wave, and ply the yielding foil, 
 To crown with fruits the hardy hand of toil, 
 Divide their forces, wheel the conquering car, 
 Deal mutual death, and civilize by war.' 
 
 And now th' effects, thro' every land, extend, 28 j 
 Thefe dread events have found their fated end ; 
 Unnumber'd tribes have dar'd the favage wood, 
 And ftreams unnumber'd fwell'd with human blood, 
 
 Increafing nations, with the years of time, 
 
 Spread their wide walks to each delighted cfime, 290 
 
 To mutual wants their barter'd tributes paiH, 
 
 Their counfels foften'd, and their wars allay'd. 
 At this blefl period, when thy peaceful race 
 
 Shall fpeak one language and one caufe embhce, 
 
 Science- 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 269 
 
 Science and arts a fpeedier courfe fhall find, 295 
 
 And open earlier on the infant mind. 
 
 No foreign terms fliall crowd, with barb'rous rules, 
 
 The dull, unmeaning pageantry of fchools ; 
 
 Nor dark authorities, nor names unknown, 
 
 Fill the learn'd head with ign'rance not its own ; 300 
 
 But truth's fair eye, with beams unclouded, fhine, 
 
 And fimpleft rules her moral lights confine ; 
 
 One living language, one unborrow'd drefs, 
 
 Her boldefl flights with manly force exprefs ; 
 
 Triumphant virtue, in the garb of truth, 305 
 
 Win a pure paiTage to the heart of youth, 
 
 Pervade all climes, where funs or oceans roll, 
 
 And warm the world with one great moral foul. 
 
 As early Phofphor, on his golden throne, 
 
 Fair type of truth and promife of the fun, 310 
 
 Smiles up the orient, in his rofy ray, 
 
 Illumes the front of heav'n, and leads the day ; 
 
 Thus foaring Science, daughter of the fkies, 
 
 Firfl o'er the nations bids her beauties rife, 
 
 Prepares the glorious way, to pour abroad 315 
 
 The beams of Heav'n's own morn, the fplendors of a God. 
 
 Then bleft Religion leads the raptur'd mind 
 
 Thro' brighter fields and j^kafurcs more refin'd"; 
 
 Teaches 
 
2/o THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Teaches the roving eye, at one broad view, 
 
 To glance o'er time and look exiftence thro*, 320 
 
 See worlds, and worlds, to Being's formlefs end, 
 
 With all their hofts on one dread Power depend, 
 
 Seraphs and funs and fyflems round him rife, 
 
 Live in his life and kindle from his eyes, 
 
 His boundlefs love, his all-pervading foul 325 
 
 Illume, fublime, and harmonize the whole ; 
 
 Teaches the pride of man to fix its bound, 
 
 In one fmall point of this amazing round ; 
 
 To ihrink and reft, where Heav'n has fix'd its fate, 
 
 A line its fpace, a moment for its date ; 330 
 
 Inftru&s the heart a nobler joy to tafte, 
 
 And fhare its feelings with another's bread, 
 
 Extend its warmeft wifh for all mankind, 
 
 And catch the image of the Maker's mind ; 
 
 While mutual love commands all ftrife to ceafe, 335 
 
 And earth join joyous in the fongs of peace. 
 
 Thus heard the Chief, impatient to behold 
 Th' expected years, in all their charms, unfold ; 
 The foul ftood fpeaking thro' his gazing eyes, 
 And thus his voice : Oh, bid the vifions rife ! 343 
 
 Command, celeftial Guide, from each far pole, 
 The blifsful morn to open on my foul, 
 
 And 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 27: 
 
 And lift tliofe fcenes, that ages fold in night, 
 
 Living and glorious, to my longing fight ; 
 
 Let heav'n, unfolding, ope th' eternal throne, 34 j 
 
 And all the concave flame in one clear fun ; 
 
 On clouds of lire, with Angels at his fide, 
 
 The Prince of peace, the King of Salem, ride, 
 
 With fmiles of love to greet the raptur'd earth, 
 
 Call flumb'ring ages to a fecond birth ; qco 
 
 With all his white-rob'd millions nil the train, 
 
 And here commence th' interminable reien ! 
 
 o 
 
 Such views, the Power replies, would drown thy fight, 
 And feal thy vifions in eternal night ; 
 Nor Heav'n permits, nor Angels can difplay 255 
 
 The unborn glories of that blifsful day. 
 Enough for thee, that thy delighted mind 
 Should .trace the deeds and bleffings of thy kind ; 
 That time's defcending vale mould ope fo far, 
 Beyond the reach of wretchednefs and war, 360 
 
 Till all the paths in Heav'n's extended plan 
 Fair in thy view mould lead the fleps of man, 
 And form, at lad, on earth's benighted ball, 
 Union of parts and happinefs of all. 
 To thy glad view thefe rolling fcenes have fho,.n 36^ 
 What boundlefs bleflings thy vafl labours crown ; 
 
 That, 
 
1*1* THE VISION OF COLUMBUS; 
 
 That, with the joys of unborn ages bleft, 
 
 Thy foul, exulting, may retire to reft, 
 
 And find, in regions of unclouded day, 
 
 What heav'n's bright walks and endlefs years difplay. 370 
 
 Behold, once more, around the earth and fky, 
 The laft glad vifions wait thy raptur'd eye. 
 The great Obferver look'd ; the land and fea, 
 In folemn grandeur, ftretch'd beneath him, lay ; 
 Here fwell the mountains, there the oceans roll, 375 
 
 And beams of beauty kindle round the pole. 
 O'er all the range, where coafts and climes extend, 
 In glorious pomp the works of peace afcend. 
 Rob'd in the bloom of fpring's eternal year, 
 And ripe with fruits, the fame glad fields appear ; 380 
 On each long ftrand unnumber'd cities run, 
 Expand their walls, and fparkle to the fun ; 
 The ftreams, all freighted from the bounteous plain, 
 Swell with the load and labour to the main ; 
 Where widening waves command a bolder gale, 385 
 
 And prop the pinions of a broader fail : 
 Sway'd with the floating weight the ocean toils, 
 And joyous nature's laft perfection fmiles. 
 
 Now, fair beneath his view, the vifion'd age 
 Leads the bold actors orr a broader ftage ; 390 
 
 When, 
 
BOOK THE NINTH. 273 
 
 .When, cloth'd majeflic in the robes of (late, 
 
 Mov'd by one voice, in general council meet 
 
 The fathers of all empires : 'twas the place, 
 
 Near the firft footfteps of the human race, 
 
 Where wretched men, firfl wandering from their God 395 
 
 Began their feuds and led their tribes abroad. 
 
 In this- mid region, this delightful clime, 
 
 Rear'd by whole realms, to brave the wrecks of time, 
 
 A fpacious ftru&ure role, fublimely great, 
 
 The laft refort, th' unchanging fcene of flate. 400 
 
 On rocks of adamant the walls afcend, 
 Tall columns heave, and Parian arches bend ; 
 High o'er the golden roofs, the riling fpires, 
 Far in the concave meet the folar fires ; 
 Four blazing fronts, with gates unfolding high, 405 
 
 Look, with immortal fplendor, round the fky : 
 Hither the delegated fires afcend, 
 And all the cares of every clime attend. 
 As the fair firft-born meflengers of Heaven, 
 To whom the care of flars and funs is given, 410 
 
 When the laft circuit of their winding fpheres 
 Hath finim'd time and mark'd their fum of years, 
 From all the bounds of fpace ( their labours done ) 
 Shall wing their triumphs to th' eternal throne ; 
 
 S Each, 
 
274 THE VISION OF COLUMBUS: 
 
 Each, from his far, dim fky, illumes the road, 415 
 
 And fails and centres tow'rd the mount of God; 
 
 There, in mid heav'n, their honour'd feats to fpread, 
 
 And ope th' untarnim'd volumes of the dead : 
 
 So, from all climes of earth, the gathering throng, 
 
 In fhips,and chariots, fhape their courfe along, 420 
 
 Reach with unwonted fpeed the place affign'd 
 
 To hear and give the counfels of mankind. 
 
 Now the dread concourfe, where the arches bend, 
 Pour thro' by thoufands, and their feats afcend. 
 Far as the centred eye can range around, 425 
 
 Or the deep trumpet's folemn voice refound, 
 Long rows of reverend fires, fublime, extend, 
 And cares of worlds on every brow fufpend. 
 High in the front, for manlier virtues known, 
 A fire elecl, in peerlefs grandeur, fhone ; 430 
 
 And rifmg op'd the univerfal caufe, 
 To give each realm its limit and its laws ; 
 Bid the lafl breath of dire contention ceafe, 
 And bind all regions in the leagues of peace, 
 Bid one great empire, with extenfive fway, 43 
 
 Spread with the fun, and bound the walks of day, 
 One centred fyftem, one all-ruling foul, 
 Live thro' the parts, and regulate the whole. 
 
 Here, 
 
BOOK THE NINTH, 275 
 
 Here, faid the Angel with a blifsful fmile, 
 Behold the fruits of thy unwearied toiL 440 
 
 To yon far regions of defcending day, 
 Thy fwelling pinions led th* untrodden way, 
 And taught mankind advent'rous deeds to dare, 
 To trace new feas and peaceful empires rear ; 
 Hence, by fraternal hands, their fails unfurl'd, 445 
 
 Have wav'd, at laft, in union o'er the world. 
 
 Then let thy ftedfaft foul no more complain 
 Of dangers brav'd and griefs endur'd in vain, 
 Of courts infidious, envy's poifon'd flings, 
 The lofs of empire, and the frown of kings ; 450 
 
 While thefe bright views thy troubled thoughts cornpofe, 
 To fpurn the vengeance of infulting foes ; 
 And all the joys defcending ages gain, 
 Repay thy labours and remove thy pain. 
 
 THE END. 
 
THE 
 
 CONSPIRACY 
 
 O F 
 
 KINGS; 
 
 A POEM: 
 
 AD DRESSED 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF EUROPE, 
 
 FROM ANOTHER QUARTER OF THE WORLD. 
 
 " But they, in footh, muft reafon. Curfes light 
 " On the proud talent! 'twill atlaft undo us. 
 '* When men are gorged with each abfurdity 
 44 Their fubtil wits can frame, or we adopt, 
 44 For very novelty they'll fly to fenfe, 
 44 And we muft fall before the idol, Fafhion. " 
 
 MYSTERIOUS MOTHER, Acl: IV. 
 

PREFACE. 
 
 JL HE following little Poem was publilhed 
 in London, in February 1792. It happened 
 that two of the principal conlpirators, the 
 emperor Leopold, and the king of Sweden, 
 died in a few weeks after. The oppofite 
 effecls, produced by the death of thefe two 
 perfons, are very remarkable. From a view of 
 the general character of the king of Sweden, 
 and of the particular transactions of the laft 
 year of his life, there can be no doubt but 
 he was determined to go any lengths with 
 the powers which were then confederating 
 againft the liberty of France ; and it is a 
 confolation to human nature, that the vio 
 lent 
 
2 8o PREFACE. 
 
 lent death of one fceptred mad-man has 
 faved the people of Sweden from thofe 
 horrid fcenes of (laughter which now involve 
 moft of the neighbouring nations. 
 
 The character of Leopold, in fome of 
 its leading traits, was direftly the reverie of 
 that of Guftavus. The latter was prodigal 
 of wealth, and exceffively eager for what 
 is called military fame, without the capacity 
 or the means of acquiring it ; the former 
 was affectedly pacific, moderate in moft of 
 his vices, and remarkable for nothing but 
 his avarice. He had fenfe enough to fee that 
 nothing was to be gained by a W 7 ar with 
 France ; his avarice, had he lived, would 
 have been a fufficient guarantee againft that 
 event ; and his death may be confidered as 
 the immediate caufe of the war. 
 
 The 
 
PREFACE. 281 
 
 The treaty of Pilnitz was doubtlefs fabri 
 cated in the court of Paris. The emperor 
 agreed to it, for the purpofe of duping the 
 king of Pruffia into meafures which might 
 fecure the obedience of the people of Brabant, 
 whom he had pacified the year before 
 by a cruel deception. His defign was 
 likewife to deceive the emigrant princes, 
 who were then deceiving him ; and to 
 exhibit fuch a menacing appearance, as, 
 according to his calculation, would induce 
 the French people to fet down quietly 
 under a limited monarchy ; well knowing 
 that, if they did this, their government 
 would foon degenerate into a defpotifm, 
 which would continue to give countenance 
 to the general principle that had fo long 
 enflaved the nations of Europe. 
 
 That he never intended, or had relin- 
 
 quifhed 
 
282 PREFACE. 
 
 quifhed the intention, of executing the con 
 ditions of the treaty of Pilnitz by going to 
 war with France, is evident from the follow 
 ing confiderations : the French conftitution 
 was ratified, and the revolution iuppofed to 
 be finished, in September 1791. A war, to 
 overturn that conftitution, certainly ought 
 not to have been deferred beyond the en- 
 Jfuing fpring ; and as it would require an 
 army of two or three hundred thouiand 
 men, the winter muft have been occupied 
 in making the preparations. Leopold died 
 fuddenly, about the firft of March. At that 
 time no preparations had been made for 
 offenfive hoftilities. The number of troops 
 fent from Auftria into the Low Countries, 
 during the autumn and winter, was not 
 more than was ftipulated to be maintained 
 there, and were fcarcely fufficient to enforce 
 the defpotifm to which he had deftiued 
 
 that 
 
PREFACE. 283 
 
 that unhappy people. Before the death of 
 Leopold, the French emigrants at Coblentz 
 began to defpair. The hopes they had built 
 on the treaty of Pilnitz had nearly vanifhed ; 
 the princes had an army of forty thoufand 
 gentlemen to maintain ; Louis was carrying 
 on too great a lyftem of corruption at home, 
 to be able to fupply them with money from 
 his civil lift ; they had exhaufted their credit 
 in all the mercantile towns in Europe ; 
 and Leopold, confidering them "in the cha 
 racter of beggars, began to treat them as 
 trouble fome guefts ; for none of the objects 
 of their demands could be flattering to his 
 favourite paffion. At laft, to their great 
 fatisfattion, the emperor died; and his fyftem 
 with regard to France was either never un- 
 derftood by his own minifters, or it was laid 
 afide, in compliance with the predominant 
 
 paffions 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 paffions of his fon ; which happened to 
 be for war, expence, and unqualified de- 
 fpotifrru 
 
 This young man began his career by a 
 fblemn declaration to all the powers of 
 Europe, that he fhould follow precifely the 
 fyftem of his father, with refpecl: to the 
 affairs of France. This declaration might be 
 underftood to mean the open and avowed 
 fyftern, prefcribed by the treaty of Pilnitz, or 
 the fecret and unexplained fyftem, which was 
 to avoid the war. It was univerfally under 
 ftood, as it was doubtlefs meant, in favour of 
 the avowed fyftem ; whofe . object, an 
 nounced in the treaty, was " to fupport 
 the rights of crowns" 
 
 From this moment, a fpirit of hoftility 
 was provoked by the Court of Vienna, 
 
 and 
 
PREFACE. 285 
 
 and encouraged by the French ambaffador 
 there, who, like their other ambafladors, 
 was betraying the nation, to ferve the 
 king ; till, on the 2oth of April, war 
 was declared by the National Aflembly. In 
 this war the defpots of Europe will try their 
 ftrength, and will probably foon be ex- 
 haufted. 
 
 Paris, 12 July 1793. 
 
THE 
 
 CONSPIRACY 
 
 O F 
 
 KINGS. 
 
 E 
 
 iTERNAL Truth, thy trump undaunted lend* 
 People and priefts and courts and kings, attend ; _ 
 While, borne on weftern gales from that far fhore 
 Where Juftice reigns, and tyrants tread no more, 
 Th' untainted voice, that no diffuafion awes, 5 
 
 That fears no frown, and feeks no blind applaufe, 
 Shall tell the blifs that Freedom fheds abroad, 
 The rights of Nature and the gift of God. 
 
 Think not, ye knaves, whom meannefs ftyles the Great, 
 Drones of the Church and harpies of the State, 10 
 
 Ye, whofe curfl fires, for blood and plunder fam'd, 
 Sultans or kings or czars or emp'rors nam'd, 
 Taught, the deluded world their claims to own, 
 And raife the crefted reptiles to a throne,- 
 
 Ye, 
 
THE CONSPIRACY 288 
 
 Ye, who pretend to your dark hoft was given 15 
 
 The lamp of life, the myftic keys of heaven ; 
 Whofe impious arts with magic fpelis began 
 When fhades of ign'rance veil'd the race of man ; 
 Who change, from age to age, the fly 
 
 As Science beams, and Virtue learns the cheat ; 20 
 
 Tyrants of double powers, the foul that blind, 
 
 To rob, to fcburge, and brutalize mankind, 
 
 Think not I come to croak with omen'd yell 
 
 The dire damnations of your future hell, 
 
 To bend a bigot or reform a knave, 25 
 
 By op'ning all the fcenes beyond the grave. 
 
 I know your crufted fouls : while one defies 
 
 Jn fceptic fcorn the vengeance of the ikies, 
 
 The other boafts, " I ken thee, Power divine, 
 
 " But fear thee not ; th* avenging bolt is mine. " 30 
 
 No ! 'tis the prefent world that prompts the fong, 
 The world we fee, the world that feels the wrong, 
 The world of men, whofe arguments ye know, 
 Of men, long curb'd to fervitude and woe, 
 Men, rous'd from floth, by indignation flung, 35 
 
 Their ftrong hands loos'd, and found their fearlefs tongue ; 
 Whofe voice of thunder, whofe defcending fteel, 
 Shall fpeak to fouls, and teach dull nerves to feel. 
 
 Think 
 
OF KINGS. 289 
 
 Think not ( ah no ! the weak delufioiMliun, 
 Burke leads you wrong, the world is not his own ) , 40 
 Indulge not once the thought, the vap'ry dream, 
 The fool's repafl, the mad-man's thread-bare theme, 
 That nations, rifing in the light of truth, 
 Strong with new life and pure regenerate youth, 
 Will fhrink from toils fo fplendidly begun, 45 
 
 Their blifs abandon and their glory fhun, 
 Betray the trufl by HeavVs own hand confign'd, 
 The great concentred flake, the interefl of mankind. 
 
 Ye fpeak of kings combin'd, fome league that draws 
 Europe's whole force, to fave your finking caufe ; 50 
 
 Of fancy'd hofls by myriads that advance 
 To crufh the untry'd power of new-born France. 
 Mifguided men ! thefe idle tales defpife ; 
 Let one bright ray of reafon {hike your eyes ; 
 Show me your kings, the fceptred horde parade, 55 
 See their pomp vanifh ! fee your vifions fade ! 
 Indignant MAN refumes the fliaft he gave, 
 JDifarms the tyrant and unbinds the (lave, 
 Difplays the unclad fkeletons of kings *, 
 Spectres of power, and ferpents without flings. 60 
 
 * OfTa vides regum vacuis exhaufta medullis. 
 
 JUVENAL, Sat. 8. 
 T And 
 
390 THE CONSPIRACY 
 
 And mall mankind,- fhall France, vvhofe giant might 
 
 Rent the dark veil, and dragg'd them forth to light, 
 
 Heed now their threats in dying anguim toft ? 
 
 And She who felFd the monfter, fear the ghoft ? 
 
 Bid young Alcides, in his grafp who takes, 65 
 
 And gripes with naked hand the twifting fnakes, 
 
 Their force exhaufted, bid him proftrate fall, 
 
 And dread their madows trembling on the wall. 
 
 But grant to kings and courts their ancient play, . 
 Recall their fplendor and revive their fway ; 70 
 
 Can all your cant and all your cries perfuade 
 One power to join you in your wild crufade ? 
 In vain ye fearch to earth's remoteft end ; 
 No court can aid you, and no king defend. 
 
 Not the mad knave who Sweden's fceptre flole, 75 
 
 Nor She, whofe thunder fhakes the northern pole j 
 Nor Frederic's widow'd fword, that fcorns to tell 
 On whofe weak brow his crown reludfont fell. 
 Not the tri-fceptred prince, of Auftrian mould, 
 The ape of wifdom and the flave of gold, 80 
 
 Therefa's fon, who, with a feeble grace, 
 Juft mimics all the vices of his race ; 
 For him no charm can foreign ftrife afford, 
 Too mean to fpend his wealth, too wife to truft his fword. 
 
 Glance 
 
OF KINGS, 291 
 
 Glance o'er the Pyrenees, but you'll difdain 85 
 
 To break the dream that fooths the Monk of Spain. 
 
 He counts his beads, and fpends his holy zeal 
 
 To raife once more th' inquifitorial wheel, 
 
 Prepares the faggot and the flame renews, 
 
 To roaft the French, as once the Moors and Jews ; 90 
 
 While abler hands the bufy taflc divide, 
 
 His Queen to dandle and his State to guide. 
 
 Ye afk great Pitt to join your defp'rate work, 
 
 See how his annual aid confounds the Turk ! 
 
 Like a war-elephant his bulk he {hows, 95 
 
 And treads down friends, when frighten'd by his foes. 
 Where then, forfaken villains, will ye turn I 
 
 Of France the outcaft and of earth the fcorn ; 
 
 What new-made charm can diffipate your fears ? 
 
 Can Burke's mad foam, or Calonne's houfe of Peers * ? I oo 
 
 Can Artois' fword, that erft near Calpe's wall) 
 
 Where Crillon fought and Elliott was to fall, 
 
 * M. de Calonne, at an immenfe labour, and by the aid 
 of his friends in England, has framed a Conftitution for France, 
 after the Englifh model ; the chief ornament of which is that 
 " Corinthian capital of polifhed fociety," a Houfe of Peers. It is 
 faid that, after debates and altercations which laded fix months, 
 he has periuaded the emigrant princes to agree to it. It only 
 remains now for him and them to try on this new livery upon 
 the French nation. 
 
 T t BurnM 
 
THE CONSPIRACY 
 
 Burn'd with the foe of fame, but hafmlefs burn'd> 
 For fheath'd the fword remain'd, and in its fheath returh'd f ? 
 Oh Burke, degenerate flave ! with grief and fhame 105 
 The Mufe indignant mufl repeat thy name. 
 Strange man, declare, iince, at creation's birth, 
 From crumbling Chaos fprang this heav'n and earth, 
 Since wrecks and outcaft relics ftiil remain, 
 Whirled ceafelefs round confufion's dreary reign, 1 10 
 
 f Among the difadvantagcs attending the lives of Prince?, 
 muft be reckoned the fmgular difficulties with which they have 
 to flruggle in acquiring a military reputation. A Duke of 
 Cumberland, in order to become an Alexander, had to ride 
 all the way to Culloden, and back again to London. Louis the 
 Fourteenth was obliged to fubmit to the fatigue of being carried 
 on board of a fplendid barge, and rowed acrofs the Rhine, 
 about the fame time that the French army eroded it j and all this 
 for the limple privilege of being placed above the Macedonian 
 in the temple of Fame, and of caufing this atchievement to be 
 celebrated, as more glorious than the paffing of the Granicus : 
 as may be feen on that modeft monument in the Place F"enJome 
 in Paris. 
 
 The Count d'Artois has purchafed, at a ftill dearer rate, the 
 fame of being ftyled " le digne rejeton du grand Henri J* and of 
 being deftined to command all the armies of Europe in re-eft a- 
 bliftiing the Monarchy of France. This champion of Chrif- 
 tendom fet out at the age of twenty-five, and travelled by land 
 with a princely equipage, from Paris to Gibraltar ; where he 
 arrived juft in time to fee, at a convenient diftance, Elliott's 
 famous bonfire of the floating batteries. He then returned, co 
 vered with glory, by the way of Madrid ; and arrived at Ver- 
 failles, amidfl the carefles of the court and the applaufes of all 
 Europe. The accomplimment of this arduous enterprife has 
 defervedly placed him, in point of military fame, at the head 
 of all the prcfent branches of the illuftrious houfc of Bourbon. 
 
 Declare, 
 
O F K I N S. 293 
 
 Declare, from all thefe fragments, whence you ftole 
 
 That genius wild, that monftrous mafs of foul ; 
 
 Where fpreads the wideft wafte of all extremes, 
 
 Full darknefs frowns, and heav'n's own fplendor beams ; 
 
 Truth, Error, Falfehood, Rhetoric's raging tide, 115 
 
 And Pomp and Meannefs, Prejudice- and Pride?, 
 
 Strain to an endlefs clang thy voice of fire, 
 
 Thy thoughts bewilder and thy audience tire. 
 
 Like Phoebus' fon, we fee thee wing thy way, 
 Snatch the loofe reins, and mount the car of day, 120 
 To earth now plunging plough thy wafting courfe, 
 The great Sublime of weaknefs and of force. 
 But while the world's keen eye, with generous glance^ 
 Thy faults could pardon and thy worth enhance, 
 When foes were hufti'd, when Juftice dar'd commend, 125 
 And e'en fond Freedom claim'd thee as a friend, 
 Why, in a gulph of bafenefs, fink forlorn, 
 And change pure praife for infamy and fcorn 
 
 And didfl thou hope, by thy infuriate quill 
 To roufe mankind the blood of realms to fpill ? 1 30 
 
 Then to reftore, on death-devoted plains, 
 Their fcourge to tyrants, and to man his chains ? 
 To fwell their fouls with thy own bigot rage 3 
 And blot the glories of fo bright an age ? 
 
 T 3 Firft 
 
294 THE CONSPIRACY 
 
 Firtt ftretch thy arm, and, with lefs impious might, 135 
 Wipe out the ftars, and quench the folar light : 
 " For heav'n and earth " the voice of God ordains, 
 " Shall pafs and peri/h, but my word remains" 
 Th' eternal WORD, which gave, in fpite of thee, 
 REASON to man, that bids the man be free. 140 
 
 Thou could'ft not hope : 'twas Heav'n's returning grace, 
 In kind companion to our injur'd race, 
 Which ftripp'd that foul, ere it fhould flee from hence, 
 Of the laft garb of decency or fenfe, 
 Left thee its own foul horrors to difplay, j 45 
 
 In all the blacknefs of its native day, 
 To fink at laft, from earth's glad fwrface hurl'd, 
 The fordid fov'reign of the lettered world. 
 
 In fome fad hour, ere death's dim terrors fprcad, 
 Ere feas of dark oblivion whelm thy head, 150 
 
 Reflect, loft man, If thofe, thy kindred knaves, 
 O'er the broad Rhine whofe flag rebellious waves, 
 Once draw the fword ; its burning point fhall bring 
 To thy quick nerves a never-ending fting ; 
 The blood they fhed thy weight of woe fliall fwell, 155 
 
 And their grim ghofts for ever with thee dwell,* 
 
 
 * See note at the end. 
 
 Learn 
 
O F K I N G & 295 
 
 Learn hence, ye .tyrants, ere ye learn too late, 
 Of all your craft th* inevitable fate. 
 The hour is come, the world's unclofmg eyes 
 Difcern with rapture where its wifdom lies ; l6o 
 
 From weftern heav'ns th' inverted Orient fprings, 
 The morn of man, the dreadful night of kings. 
 Dim, like the day-ftruck owl, ye grope in light, 
 No arm for combat, no refburce in flight ; 
 Jf on your guards your lingering hopes repofe, 1 6$ 
 
 Your guards are men, and men you've made your foes} 
 If to your rocky ramparts ye repair, 
 * De Launay's fate can tell your fortune there* 
 No turn, no fhift, no courtly arts avail,. 
 Each ma(k is broken, all illufions fail ;. 1 70 
 
 Driv'n to your lafl retreat of fhame and fear, 
 One counfel waits you, -. one relief is near : 
 By worth internal, rife to felf-wrought fame, 
 Your equal rank, your human kindred claim ; 
 'Tis reafon's choice j 'tis Wifdorn's final plan-,. 175 
 
 To drop the monarch and aflame the man,, 
 
 * De Launay was the laft governor of thtf Baftile. His 
 well-known exit, ferving as a warning to others, faved the livei 
 of many commanders of fortrefTes in different parts of France 
 during the firft ftages of the revolution. It may probably 
 have the fame falutary effeft in other countries, whenever the 
 agents of defpotiim in thofe countries fid she people are deter 
 mined to be free. 
 
 Hail 
 
* 9 6 THE CONSPIRACY 
 
 Hail MAN, exalted tide ! firfl and beft, 
 On God's own image by his hand imprefl, 
 To which at laft the reasoning race is driven, 
 And feeks anew what firft it gain'd from Heaven. 1 86 
 
 O MAN, my brother, how the cordial'flame 
 Of all endearments kindles at the name ! 
 In every clime, thy vifage greets my eyes, 
 In every tongue thy kindred accents rife ; 
 The thought expanding fwells my heart with glee, 185 
 It finds a friend, and loves itfclf in thee. 
 
 Say then, fraternal family divine, 
 Whom mutual wants and mutual aids combine, 
 Say from what fource the dire delufion rofe, 
 That fouls like ours were ever made for foes ; 196 
 
 Why earth's maternal bofom, where we tread, 
 To rear our manfions and receive our bread, 
 Should blu/h fo often for the race flic bore, 
 So long be drench'd with floods of filial gore ; 
 "Why to fmall realms for ever reft confined j 95 
 
 Our great affections, meant for all mankind. 
 Though climes divide us ; (hall the flream or fea, 
 That forms a barrier 'twixt my friend and me, 
 Infpire the wifh his peaceful flate to mar, 
 And meet his falchion in the ranks of war ? 200 
 
 Not; 
 
O F K I N G S. 29? 
 
 Not feas, nor climes, nor wild ambition's fire- 
 Jn nations' minds could e'er the wifk infpire ; 
 Where equal rights each fober voice fhould guide, 
 No blood would ffoin them, and no war divide. 
 'Tis dark deception, 'tis the glare of (late, 205 
 
 Man funk in titles, loft in Small and Great ; 
 'Tis Rank, Diftin&ion, all the hell that fprings 
 From thofe prolific monfters, Courts and Kings. 
 Thcfe are the vampires nurs'd on nature's fpoils ; 
 For thefe with pangs the ftarving peafant toils, a i'<S 
 
 For thefe the earth's broad furface teems with grain. 
 Theirs the dread labours of the devions main ; 
 And when the wafted world but dares refufe 
 The gifts oppreflive and extorted dues, 
 They bid wild {laughter fpread the gory plains, 2i 
 
 The life-blood gufhing from a thoufand veins, 
 Erecl their thrones amid the fanguine flood, 
 And dip their purple in the nation's blood. 
 
 The gazing crowd, of glittering State afraid, 
 Adore the Power their coward meannefs made ; 220 
 
 Jn war's fhort intervals, while regal hows 
 Still blind their reafon and infult their woes. 
 What ftrange events for proud Proceffions call ! 
 See kingdoms crowding to a Birth-night Ball ! 
 
 Sec 
 
298 THE CONSPIRACY 
 
 See the long pomp in gorgeous glare difplay'd, 
 
 The tinfel'd guards, the fquadron'd horfe parade ; 
 
 See heralds gay, with emblems on their veft, 
 
 In tiffu'd robes, tall, beauteous pages dreft ; 
 
 Amid fuperior ranks of fplendid flaves, 
 
 Lords, dukes and princes, titulary knaves, 230 
 
 Confusedly fliine their croffes, gems and {tars, 
 
 Sceptres and globes and crowns and fpoils of wars, 
 
 On gilded orbs fee thundering chariots roll'd, 
 
 Steeds, fnorting fire, and champing bitts of gold, 
 
 Prance to the trumpet's voice ; while each aflumes 23$ 
 
 A loftier gait, and lifts his neck of plumes. 
 
 High on a moving throne, and near the van* 
 
 The tyrant rides, the chofen fcourge of man ; 
 
 Clarions and flutes and drums his way prepare, 
 
 And ihouting millions rend the troubled air ; 24$ 
 
 Millions, whofe ceafelefs toils the pomp fuftain, 
 
 Whofe hour of ftupid joy repays an age of pain. 
 
 Of thefe no more. From Orders, Slaves and Kings, 
 TQ thee, O MAN, my heart rebounding fprings, 
 Behold th 1 afcending blifs that waits your call, 245 
 
 Heav'n's own bequeft, the heritage of all. 
 Awake to wifdom, feize the proffer 'd prize ; 
 From (hade to light, from grief to glory rife* 
 
 Freedom 
 
O F K I N G S. 399 
 
 Freedom at laft, with Reafon in her train, 
 Extends o'er earth her everlafting reign ; 250 
 
 See Gallia's fons, fo late the tyrant's fport, 
 Machines in war and fycophants at court, 
 Start into men, expand their well-taught mind, 
 Lords of themfelves and leaders of mankind, 
 On equal rights their bafe of empire lies, 255 
 
 On walls of wifdom fee the ftru6r.ure rife ; 
 Wide o'er the gazing world it towers fublime, 
 A modell'd form for each furrounding clime, 
 To ufeful toils they bend their nobleft aim, 
 Make patriot views, and moral views the fame, 260 
 
 Renounce the wifh of war, bid conqueft ceafe, 
 Invite all men to happinefs and peace, 
 To faith and juflice rear the youthful race, 
 With flrength exalt them and with fcience grace, 
 Till Truth's bleft banners, o'er the regions hurl'd, 265 
 Shake tyrants from their thrones, and cheer the waking world. 
 
 In northern climes, where feudal fhades of late 
 Chill'd every heart and pallied every State, 
 Behold, illumin'd by th' inftru6tive age, 
 That great phenomenon, a Sceptred Sage. 276 
 
 There Staniflaus unfolds his prudent plan, 
 Tears the ftrong bandage from the eyes of man, 
 
 Points 
 
5 oo THE CONSPIRACY, & c . 
 
 Points the progreflive march, and jfhapes tlie way, 
 That leads a realm from darknefs into day. 
 
 And deign, for once, to turn a tranfient eye 275 
 
 To that wide world that fkirts the weflern iky ; 
 Hail the mild morning, where the dawn began. 
 The full fruition of the hopes of man. 
 Where fage experience feals the facred caufe ; 
 And that rare union, liberty and laws, 280 
 
 Speaks to the reasoning race : to freedom rife 
 Like them be equal, and like them be wife. 
 
 THE .END. 
 
Note on Mr. Burke, Ytf erring to page 294* 
 
 * Some of the author's friends in England, although they join 
 tvith him in cenfuring the writings of Mr. Burke on the French 
 Revolution, are of opinion that the picture here drawn of that 
 writer is too highly coloured ; or at leaft\ that the cenfure is fo 
 ievere as to lofe the effect that it might otherwife produce. It 
 is impoifible to fay what effect, and whether any, has or will be 
 produced by this poem ; but, out of refpect to the opinion above 
 Hated, it may be proper to make fome obfervations on the effect 
 that has already followed from the writings of Mr. Burke. I 
 fpeak not of what has taken place in England ; where it is fup- 
 pofed that, contraiy to his intentions and thofe of the govern 
 ment that fet him at work, his malicious attack upon liberty has 
 opened a difcuffion which cannot be clofed until the whole fyftem 
 of defpotifm, which he meant to fupport, fhall be overturned in 
 that country. The prefent war with France is doubtlefs the kit 
 piece of delufion that a fet of hereditary tyrants will ever be able 
 to impofe upon the people of England. 
 
 But this fubject opens a field of contemplation far more fe- 
 rious and extenfive on the continent of Europe ; where, if Mr. 
 Burke can view without horror the immenfity of the mifchiefs 
 he has done, he will mow himfelf worthy of much higher attri 
 butes of wickednefs than have yet been afcribed to him. It is a 
 painful tafk to traverfe fuch a wide fcene of (laughter and defo- 
 lation as now involves the nations of Europe, and then to lay it 
 all to the charge of a fingle individual ; efpecially when we con- 
 iider that individual as having, for a long time before, enjoyed 
 the confidence of all good men, and having at laft betrayed it 
 from the worft and vileft motives ; as he had eftablifhed his 
 previous reputation byfpeaking the language of liberty, and pro- 
 felling himfelf to be the friend of national felicity. But it is not 
 from a tranfitory difguft at his deteftible principles, it is from 
 deliberate obfervation and mature conviction, that I ftate it as an 
 hiftorical fact, That the prefent war, with all its train of cala 
 mities, muft be attributed almoft exclulively to the pen of 
 Mr. Burke. 
 
 There is a peculiar combination of circumflances which 
 threw this power into his hands, and which ought to be duly 
 conlidered, before we come to a decifion on the fubject. The 
 people of England had enjoyed for feveral ages a much greater 
 portion of liberty than any other people in Europe. This had 
 raifed them to a great degree of eminence in many refpects. At 
 the fame time that it rendered them powerful as a nation, it 
 made them fober, induftrious and perfeveririg, as individuals ; it 
 taught them to think and fpeak with a certain air of dignity, 
 independence and precifi on, which was unknown in other coun 
 tries. This circumftance could not fail to gain the rH mi ration of 
 
30S Note oft Mr. Burke. 
 
 foreigners, and to excite a perpetual emulation among them- 
 felves. England has therefore produced more than her propor 
 tion of the illuftrious men of modern times, efpecially in politics 
 and legiflation, as thefe affairs came within the reach of a larger 
 clafs of men in that country than in any other. 
 
 In a nation where there is an enormous civil lift at the difpofal 
 of the crown, and a conftitutional fpirit of liberty kept alive in 
 the people, we mufl neceflarily expect to find two parties in the 
 government. In fuch a cafe, as the king is fure to carry all the 
 meafures that he dares to propofe, the party in favour of the 
 people are called the oppojition ; and it being always a minority, it 
 gives octafion for great exertion of talents, and is fuppofed to be 
 the nurfe of every public virtue. Such has been the competi 
 tion of the Englifh government ever fmce the laft revolution. 
 The oppofition has been the fchool of great men ; its principal 
 difciples have been the apoftles of liberty ; and their exertions 
 have made the Britifh name refpectabie in every part of the 
 world. Mr. Burke had been for many years at the head of this 
 fchool ; and from the brilliant talents he difcovered in that con- 
 fpicuous flation, he rendered himfelf univerfally refpected. His 
 eloquence was of that flowery and figurative kind, which at 
 tracted great admiration in foreign countries; where it was 
 viewed, for the moftpart, through the medium of a tranflation ; 
 fo that he was confidered, at leaft in every country out of 
 England, as the ableft advocate of liberty that then exifted in 
 Europe. Even kings and tyrants, who hated the caufe, could 
 not withhold their veneration from the man. 
 
 Under thefe impreflions, their attention was called to the 
 great event of the French revolution. It was a fubject which 
 they did not underftand, a bufmefs in which they had no inten 
 tion to interfere ; as it was evidently no concern of theirs. But 
 viewed as a fpeculative point, it is as natural for kings as for 
 other perfons to wait till they learn what great men have faid, 
 before they form their opinion. Mr. Burke did not fufter them 
 to remain long in fufpenfe; but, to enlighten their underftand- 
 ings and teach them how to judge, he came forward with his 
 44 Reflexions on tbe Revolution in Prance;" where, in his quality 
 of the political fchoolmafter of his age, in his quality of the pro- 
 feffed enemy of tyrants, the friend of the people, the moft en 
 lightened leader of the moft enlightened nation in Europe, he 
 tells them that this Revolution is an abominable usurpation of a 
 gang of beggarly tyrants; that itg principle is atheiim and anar 
 chy'; that its inftruments are murders, rapes, and plunders ; that 
 its object is to hunt down religion, overturn lociety, and deluge 
 the world in blood. Then, in the whining cant of ftate-piety, 
 and in the cowardly infolence of perfonal fafety, he cails upon 
 the principal fovereigns of Europe to unite in a general confe- 
 
Note on Mr* Burke. 303 
 
 iteration, to march into France, to interfere in the affairs of an 
 independent power, to make war with the principles which he 
 himfelf had long laboured to fupport, to overturn the nobleft 
 monument of human wifdom, and blaft the faireft hopes of 
 public happinefs that the world had ever feen. 
 
 Copies of his book were fent in great profufion by the courts 
 of" London and Paris to the other courts of Europe ; it was read by 
 all men of letters, and by all men of ftate, with an avidity in- 
 fpired by the celebrity of the author and the magnitude of the 
 fubjedt ; and it produced an effect which, in otKer circumftances, 
 would have appeared almoft miraculous; efpecially when we 
 confider the intrinfic character of the work. M. de Calonne, 
 about the fame time, publimed a book of much more internal 
 merit ; a book in which fallhood is clothed in a more 
 <iecent covering; and in which there is more energy and 
 argument, to excite the champions of defpotifm to begin 
 the work of defolation. But Calonne wrote and appeared 
 in his true character. It was known that he had been a robber 
 in France, and was now an exile in England ; and, while he 
 herded with the Englifh robbers at St. James's, he wrote to 
 revenge himfelf upon the country whofe juftice he had efcaped. 
 His writings, therefore, had but little weight ; perhaps as little 
 as Mr. Burke's would have had, if his real object had been 
 known. 
 
 But this illuftrious hypocrite poflefTed every advantage for 
 deception. He palmed himfelf upon the world as a volunteer 
 in the general caufe of philanthropy. Giving himfelf up to the 
 frenzy of an unbridled imagination,' he conceives himfelf writing 
 tragedy, without being confined to the obvious laws of fiction ; 
 and taking advantage of the recency of the events, and of the ig 
 norance of thofe who were to read his rhapfodies, he peoples 
 France with afTaffins, for the fake of raifing a hue-and-cry againft 
 its peaceable inhabitants; he paints ideal murders, that they may 
 be avenged by the reality of a wide extended (laughter ; he trans 
 forms the mildeft and moft generous people in Europe into a 
 nation of monfters and atheifts, " heaping mountains upon, 
 mountains, and waging war with heaven," that he may intereft the 
 confciences of one part of his readers, and cloak the hypocriiy 
 of another, to induce them both to renounce the character of 
 men, while they avenge the caufe of God. 
 
 Such was the firft picture of the French Revolution prefented 
 at once to the eyes of all the men who held the reins of govern^ 
 ment in the feveral ftates of Europe ; and fuch was the authority 
 of the author by whom it was prefented, that we are not to be 
 aftoniflied at the effect. The emigrant princes, and the agents 
 of the court of the Thuilleries, who were then befieging the 
 wti*chainbers of mjnifters in every country, foynd a new fource 
 
304 Ntc w Mr. Burke* 
 
 of impudence in this extraordinary work. They found their 
 own invented fictions confirmed in their fulleft latitude, and a 
 rich variety of fuperadded falfhood, of which the moft fhamelefs 
 fycophant of Louis or of Conde would have blufhed to have 
 been the author. With this book in their hands, it was eafy to 
 gain the ear of men already predifpofed to liflen to any project 
 which might rivet the chains of their fellow creatures. 
 
 Thefe arguments, detailed by proper agents, induced fome of 
 the principal fovereigns of Europe to agree to the treaty of 
 Pilnitz ; then th^ death of Leopold, as I have ftated in the 
 preface, unhappily removed the great obftacle to the. execution 
 of that treaty, and the war of Mr. Burke was let loofe, with all 
 the horrors he intended to excite. And what is the language 
 proper to be ufed in defcribing the character of a man, who, in 
 his fltuation, at his time of life, and for a penfion of only fifteen 
 hundred pounds a year, could fit down deliberately in his clofet 
 and call upon the powers of earth and hell to inflict fuch a 
 weight of miiery on the human race ? When we fee Alexander 
 depopulating kingdoms and reducing great cities to afhes, we 
 tranfport ourfelves to the age in which he lived, when human 
 Slaughter was human glory ; and we make fome allowance for 
 the ravings of ambition. If we contemplate the frightful cruel 
 ties of Cortez & Pizarro, we view their characters as a compo- 
 fition of avarice andfanaticifm ;we fee them infatiable of wealth, 
 and mad with the idea of extending the knowledge of their re 
 ligion. But here is a man who calls himfelf a philofopher, not 
 remarkable for his avarice, the delight and ornament of a nu 
 merous fociety of valuable friends, refpected by all enlightened 
 men as a friend of peace and a preacher of humanity, Jiving in 
 an age when military madnefs has loft its charms, and men be 
 gin to unite in fearching the means of avoiding the horrors of 
 war ; this man, wearied with the happinefs that furrounds him, 
 and difgufted at the glory that awaits him, renounces all his 
 friends, belies the doctrines of his former life, bewails that the 
 military favagenefs of the fourteenth century is paft away, and, 
 to gratify his barbarous wimes to call it back, conjures up a war, 
 in which at leail two millions of his fellow creatures muft be fa- 
 crificed to his unaccountable paflion. Such is the condition of 
 human nature, that the greateu crimes have ufually gone unpu- 
 nifhed. It appears to me, that hiftory does not fiirnim a greater 
 one than this of Mr. Burke; and yet all the confolation that we 
 cart draw from the detection, is to leave the man to his own re- 
 flections, and expofe his conduct to the execration of pofterity- 
 
H^' 
 
RARE 
 *OOK 
 
 Wl. 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY