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 87. BARLOW (JOEL). The Vision of Columbus. A Poem 
 in nine books. First Edition. 8vo, original calf. 
 
 Hartford, 1787 
 The Subscribers' names include His Most Christian Majesty 
 (Louis XVI), 25 copies; His Excellency George Washington, 20 
 copies; Maj.-Genr. le Marquis de la Fayette, 10 copies. After- 
 wards amplified into the Columbiad. Wegelin, page 10, does 
 not mention the six leaves of subscriber names. Trumbull, 
 309. Sabin, 3434. Blank corner of title-page torn away. 
 
 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 ISC 
 
 Div 
 JJtctloa 
 
* X *\ 
 

 4&& 
 
 'the 
 
 VISION 
 
 O F 
 
 CO LUMBUS; 
 
 A POEM in Nine Books, 
 
 By JOEL BARLOW, Esquire, 
 
 HARTFORD: 
 
 PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN, FOR THE AwTHOR 
 
 M.DCC.LXXX'VII, 
 
T 
 HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY, 
 
 LOUIS the Sixteenth, 
 
 KING of FRANCE and NAVARRE. 
 
 SIRE, 
 
 I 
 
 N recounting the numerous bleflings which have 
 arifen to mankind from the difcovery of America, 
 the mind dwells with particular pleifure and grati- 
 tude upon thofe Characters, from whofe hands thefe 
 bleflings have immediately flowed. That change 
 in the political face of Europe, that liberality of 
 fentiment, that enlargement of commercial, milita- 
 ry and philofophical knowledge, which contrail the 
 prefent with the fifteenth century, are but fo many 
 confequences of this great event ; an event which 
 laid open all parts of the earth to the range of the 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 liberal mind. The illuftrious line of your royal 
 Anceftors have been confpicuous in feizing thofe 
 advantages and difrufing their happy effects. The 
 great Father of the Houfe of Bourbon will be held 
 in the highefc veneration, till his favourite political 
 fyftem fhall be realized among the nations of Eu- 
 rope, and extended to all mankind. But it was 
 left to his more glorious Defendant, to accelerate 
 the progrefs offociety, by difregarding the tempo- 
 rary interefrs and local policies of other Monarchs, 
 reaching the hand of beneficence to another hem- 
 ifphere, and railing an infant empire, in a few years, 
 to a degree of importance, which feveral ages were 
 Icarcely thought fufficient to produce. 
 
 This is the fublime of humanity, to £cd for fu- 
 ture ages and diflant nations -, to act thofe things, 
 as a Monarch, which another can only contemplate 
 as a Philofopher, or image in the flights of poetry. 
 America acknowledges her obligations to the Guar- 
 dian of her rights -, mankind, who furvey your con- 
 duel, and poflerity, for whom you act, will fee that 
 the tribute of gratitude is paid. 
 
 If to patronize the Arts can add to the praife of 
 thefe more glorious actions, your Majefty's fame 
 in this refpeel will be ever facred -, as there are none^ 
 who can feel the fubject fo flrongly as thofe who 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 are the particular objects of your royal condefcen- 
 fion. 
 
 The following work, which may be confidered 
 in part, as the offspring of thofe reflections which 
 your Majefty's conduct has taught me to moke, 
 pofierTes one advantage fcarcely to be expected in a 
 Poem written in a foreign language. Your Majef- 
 ty's permifTion, that the unfortunate Columbus 
 may once more enjoy the protection of a royal ben- 
 efactor, has added a new obligation to thole I be- 
 fore felt — in common with a grateful country. It is 
 the policy of wife Princes to encourage the liberal 
 arts among their fubjects ; and, as the human race 
 are the objects of your extended administration, 
 th^y may all in fome meaiure claim the privilege 
 of fubjects, in feeking your literary as well as po- 
 litical protection. 
 
 With the deepen: fenfe of your Majefty's royal 
 munificence to my country, and gracious condefcen- 
 fion to myfelf, I have the honour to be, 
 
 Sire, 
 
 YOUR MAJESTY'S 
 
 Moft humble and 
 
 Moft devoted Servant, 
 
 Joel Barlow. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 JQ/VERY circumftance relating to the difcovery 
 and fettlement of America, is an interefting obje&of 
 enquiry. Yet it is prefumed, from the prefent (late 
 of literature in this country, that many perfons, who 
 might be entertained with an American production of 
 this kind, are but (lightly acquainted with the life 
 and character of that great man, whofe extraordinary- 
 genius led him to the difcovery of the continent, and 
 whofe fingular fufferings ought to excite the indigna- 
 tion of the world. 
 
 The Spanifh hiftorians, who treat of the difcovery 
 and fettlement of South- America, are very little known 
 in the United States ; and Doctor Robertion's hifto- 
 ry of that country, which, as is ufual in the works of 
 that judicious writer, contains all that is valuable on 
 the fubject, is not yet reprinted in America, and 
 therefore cannot be fuppofed to be in the hands of 
 American readers in general : and perhaps no other 
 writer in the Englifh language has given a furHcient 
 account of the life of Columbus to enable them toun- 
 derftand many of the neceflary allufions in the fol- 
 lowing Poem. 
 
 Christopher Columbus was born in the repub- 
 lic of Genoa about the year 1447 > at a t i fne when 
 the navigation of Europe was fcarcely extended be- 
 yond the limits of the Mediterranean. The mari- 
 ner's compafs had been invented and in common ufe 
 for more than a century -, yet with the help of this 
 
viii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 fare guide, prompted by the moft ardent fpirit of 
 difcovery, and encouraged by the patronage of prin- 
 ces, the mariners of thofe days rarely ventured from 
 the fight of land. They acquired great applaufe by 
 failing along the coaft of Africa and difcovering fome 
 of the neighbouring iflands; and after pufhing their 
 refearches with the greatefl induftry and perfeverance 
 for more than half a century, the Portuguefe, who were 
 the moll: fortunate and enterprifing, extended their 
 difcoveries fouthward no farther than the equator. 
 
 The rich commodities of the Eafl had for feveral 
 ages been brought into Europe by the way of the Red 
 Sea and the Mediterranean ; and it had now become 
 the object of the Portuguefe to find a paffage to In- 
 dia, by failing round thefouthern extremity of Africa 
 and then taking an eailern 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 feerned to promife 
 a reward to their induftry. The profpecl however of 
 arriving at the Indies 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 accomplifh their pur- 
 pofe. But Columbus, by an uncommon exertion of 
 genius, formed a dtfign no lefs aftonifhing to the age 
 in which he lived, than beneficial to poflerity. This 
 defign was to fail to India by taking a weilern direc- 
 tion. By the accounts of travellers who had vifited 
 India, that country feemed almofl without limits on 
 the eafb ; and by attending to the fpherical figure of 
 the earth, Columbus drew this conclufion, that the At- 
 lantic ocean muft be bounded on the weft either by 
 India itfelf, or by fome great continent not far diftant 
 from it. 
 
INTRODUCTION. ix 
 
 * 
 
 This extraordinary man, who was now about twen- 
 ty-(,fven years of age, appears to have united in his 
 character every trait, and to have porTeffed every tal- 
 lant, requifite to form and execute the greateft enter- 
 prizes. He was early educated in all the ufeful fci- 
 ences that were taught in that day. He had made 
 great proficiency in geography, aftronomy and draw- 
 ing, as they were necefTary 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 
 experience that their voyages and difcoveries could 
 afford. His courage and perfeverance had been put 
 to the fevered tell, and theexercife of every amiable 
 and heroic virtue rendered him univerfally known and 
 refpected. He had married a Portuguefe lady by 
 whom he had two fons, Diego and Fardinand ; the 
 younger of whom is the hiftorian of his life. 
 
 Such was the fituation of Columbus, when he form- 
 ed and thoroughly digefted a plan, which, in its op- 
 eration and confequences, unfolded to the view of 
 mankind one half of the globe, diffufed wealth and 
 dignity over the other, and extended commerce and 
 civilization through the whole. To corroborate the 
 theory which he had formed of the exigence of a wef- 
 tern continent, his defcerning mind, which always 
 knew the application of every circumftance that fell 
 in his way, had obferved feveral facts which by others 
 would have pafTed unnoticed. In his voyages to the 
 African iflands he had found, floating afhore after a 
 long weftern ftorm, pieces of wood carved in a curi- 
 ous manner, canes of a fize unknown in that quarter 
 of the world, and human bodies with very lingular 
 features. Fully confirmed in the opinion that a con- 
 fiderable portion of the earth was Hill undifcovered, 
 his genius was too vigorous and perfeveringto fuller 
 an idea of this, importance to reft meiely in fpecuia- 
 
 B 
 
x INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tion, as it had done in the minds of Plato and Seneca, 
 who appear to have had conjectures of a fimilar^na- 
 ture. He determined therefore to bring his favourite 
 theory to the ted of actual experiment. But an ob- 
 ject of that magnitude required the patronage of a 
 Prince ; and a defign fo extraordinary met with all 
 the obftructions, delays and difappointments, which 
 an age of fuperftition could invent, and which perfonal 
 jealoufy and malice could magnify and encourage. 
 Happily for mankind, in this inftance, a genius, ca- 
 pable of devifing the greater!: undertakings, aflbciat- 
 ed in itfelf a degree of patience and enterprise, mo- 
 defty and confidence, which rendered him fuperior, 
 not only to thefe misfortunes, but to all the future ca^ 
 lamities of his life. Prompted by the mod ardent 
 enthufiafm to be the difcoverer of new continents, and 
 fully fenfible of the advantages that would refult to 
 mankind from fuch difcoveries, he had the mortifica- 
 tion to wafte away eighteen years of his Jife, after his 
 fyftem was well eftablifhed in his own mind, before 
 he could obtain the means of executing his deligns. 
 The greater!: part of this period was fpent in fuccefiive 
 and fruitlefs folicitations, at Genoa, Portugal and 
 Spain. As a duty to his native country, he made his 
 fir ft propofal to the Senate of Genoa; where it was 
 foon rejected. Gonfcious of the truth of his theory, 
 and of his own abilities to execute his defign, he re- 
 tired without dejection from a body of men who were 
 incapable of forming anyjuft ideas upon the fubject; 
 and applied with frefh confidence to John the fecond, 
 King of Portugal, who had diftinguifhed himfelf as 
 the great patron of navigation, and in whofe fervice 
 Columbus had acquired a reputation which entitled 
 him and his project to general confidence and appro- 
 bation. But here he fuffered an infult much greater 
 than a direct refufal. After referring the examina- 
 tion of his fcheme to the council who had the direc- 
 
INTRODUCTION. xi 
 
 tion of naval affairs, and drawing from him his gen- 
 eral ideas of the length of the voyage and the courfe 
 he #eant 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 adopt- 
 ed and patronised, a vefTel was fecretly difpatched, 
 by order of the king, to make the intended difcovery. 
 Want of fkill and perfeverance in the pilot rendered 
 the plot unfuccefsful ; and Columbus, on difcovering 
 the treachery, retired with an ingenuous indignation 
 from a court capable of iuch duplicity. 
 
 Having now performed what was due to the coun- 
 try that gave him birth and to the one that had a- 
 dopted him as a fubject, he was at liberty to court the 
 patronage of any prince who fhould have the wifdom 
 andjuftice to accept his propofals. He had com- 
 municated his ideas to his brother Bartholomew, whom 
 he fent to England to negotiate with Henry feventh ; 
 at the fame time that he went himfelf into Spain to 
 apply in perfon to Fardinand and Ifabella, who go- 
 verned the united kingdoms ofAragon and Caftile. 
 The circumftances of his brother's application in Eng- 
 land, which 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 par- 
 ticulars relating to his own negociation in Spain. In 
 this negociation Columbus fpent eight years, in the 
 various agitations of fufpence, expectation and difap- 
 pointment ; till, at length his fcheme was adopted by 
 Ifabella, who undertook, as Queen of Caftile, to de- 
 ftroy the expences of the expedition ; and declared 
 herfelf, ever after, the friend and patron of the hero 
 who projected it. 
 
til INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Columbus, who, during all his ill fuccefs in the nc-, 
 gotiation, never abated any thing of the honours and 
 emoluments which he expected to acquire in tho(iex- 
 pedition, obtained from Fardinand and Ifabella a full 
 ftipulation of every article contained in his firft pro-r 
 pofals. He was conflicted high Admiral and Vice- 
 roy of all the Seas, Iflands and Continents which he 
 ihould difcover ; with power to receive one tenth 
 of the profits arifing from their productions and com- 
 merce. Thefe offices and emoluments were to. be 
 hereditary in 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 importance of 
 the expedition. Three fmall vefTels, fcarcely fuffici- 
 ent in fize to be employed in the caafting buSineSs, 
 were appointed to traverfe the vaft Atlantic ; and to 
 encounter the Storms and currents that might be ex- 
 pected in fo lengthy a voyage, through diftant and un- 
 known feas. Thefe vefTels, as might be expected in 
 the infancy of navigation, were ill constructed, in a 
 poor condition, and manned by feamen unaccustomed 
 to diftant voyages. But the tedious length of time 
 which Columbus had fpent in folicitation and SuS- 
 pence, 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 dis- 
 regard thofe circumstances which would have intimid- 
 ated any other mind. He accordingly equiped his 
 Small fquadron with as much expedition as poflible, 
 manned with ninety men and victualled for one year. 
 With thefe, on the 3d of Augufl 1492, amidfl a vaft: 
 croud of anxious Spectators, he fet Sail on an enter- 
 prize, which, if we confider the ill condition of his 
 (hips, the inexperience of his Sailors, the length and 
 
INTRODUCTION. xiii 
 
 uncertainty of his voyage, and the confequences that 
 flowed from it, was the moil daring and important 
 ths^ever was undertaken. He touched at fome cf 
 the Portuguefe fettlements in the Canary Ides ; where, 
 although he had had but a few days run, he found his 
 veiTels needed refitting. He foon made the neceiTary 
 repairs, and took his departure from the weftermoft 
 I (lands 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 atfea, he began to 
 experience a new fcene of difficulty. The failors 
 now began to contemplate the dangers and uncertain 
 iflueofa voyage, the nature and length of which was 
 left entirely open to conjecture. Befides the fickle- 
 nefs and timidity natural to men unaccuftomed to the 
 difcipline of a feafaring life, feveral circumftances 
 contributed to infpire anobftipate and mutinous difpo- 
 fition, which required tne mod confummate art as 
 well as fortitude in the admiral tocontroul. Having 
 been three weeks at fea, and experienced the uniform 
 courfe of the trade winds, which always blow in a weft- 
 ern direction, they contended that, fhould they con- 
 tinue 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 firft time that phenomenon was ever 
 difcovered, it was viewed by the failors with afto.iilli- 
 ment, and confidered as an indication that nature it- 
 felf had changed her courfe, and that Providence was 
 determined to punifh their audacity, in venturing fo far 
 beyond the ordinary bounds of man. They declared 
 that the commands of their fovereign had been fjlly 
 obeyed, in their proceeding fo many days in the fame 
 direction, arid fo far furpaffing the attempts of a, 11 for? 
 
xiv INTRODUCTION, 
 
 mer navigators, in queft of new difcoveries. Every 
 talent, requifite for governing, foothing and temper- 
 ing the paffions of men, is confpicuous in the conJtult 
 of Columbus on this occafion. The dignity and af- 
 fability 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 
 complete afcendantover the minds of his men, and 
 infpired that degree of confidence which would have 
 maintained his authority in almoft any pofiible cir- 
 cumstances. But here, from the nature of the under- 
 taking, every man had leifure to feed his imagination 
 with, all the gloominefs and uncertainty of the prof- 
 peel:. They found, every day, that the fame fteady 
 gales carried them with great rapidity from their na- 
 tive country, and indeed from all countries of which 
 they had any knowledge. Notwithstanding all the 
 variety of management with which Columbus addreffed 
 himfelf to their paffions, fometimes by foothing them 
 with the prognoftics of difcovering land, fometimes 
 by Battering their ambition and feafting their avarice 
 with the glory and wealth they would acquire from 
 difcovering thofe rich countries beyond the Atlantic, 
 and fometimes by threatening them with the difplea- 
 fureof their fovereign, mould their timidity and dif- 
 obedience defeat fo great an object, their uneafinefs 
 ftili Jncreafed. From fecret whifperings, it arofe to o- 
 pen mutiny and dangerous confpiracy. At length 
 they determined to rid themfelves of the remonftran- 
 ces 6f Columbus^ by throwing him into the fea. The 
 infection fpread from fhip to fhip, and involved Offi- 
 cers as well as common failors. They finally loft all 
 fenfe of iubordi nation, and addreffed their command- 
 er in an infolent manner, demanding to be conducted 
 immediately back to Spain ; or, they affured him, they 
 would feek their own fafety by taking away his. life. 
 
INTRODUCTION. xv 
 
 Columbus, whofe fagacity and penetration had dis- 
 covered every fymptom of the diforder, was prepared 
 for this 1 aft ftageof it, and was fufficiently apprized of 
 the danger that awaited him. He found it vain to con- 
 tend with paflions he could no longer controul. He 
 therefore propofed that they fhouid obey his orders for 
 three days longer ; and, fhouid they not difcover 
 land in that time, he would then direct his courfe for 
 Spain. They complied with his propofal ; and, hap- 
 pily for mankind, in three days they difcovered Land. 
 This was a fmall I (land, to which Columbus gave the 
 name of San Salvador. Their firft interview with the 
 natives was a fcene of amufement and compafllon 
 on the one part, and of aftonifhment and adoration 
 on the other. The natives were entirely naked, fim- 
 ple and timorous, and they viewed the Spaniards as a 
 Superior order of beings, defcended from the Sun, 
 which, in that Ifland and in mod parts of America, was 
 worfhiped as a Deity. By this it was eafy for Colum- 
 bus to perceive the line of conduct proper to be ob- 
 ferved toward that fimple and inoftenfive people. 
 HadTiis companions and fuccefibrs, of the Spanifh na- 
 tion poiTefTed the wifdom and humanity of that great 
 difcoverer, the benevolent mind would feel no fenfa- 
 tions, of regret, in contemplating the extenfivc advan- 
 tages arifing to mankind from the difcovery' of A- 
 merica. 
 
 In this voyage, Columbus difcovered thelfiandsof 
 Cuba and Hifpaniola ; on the latter of which, he erect- 
 ed a fmall fort, and having left a garrifon of thirty- 
 eight men, under the command of an Officer by the 
 name of Arada, he fet fail for Spain. Returning a- 
 crofs the Atlantic, he was overtaken by a violent 
 ftorm, which lafted feveral days and increafed to fuch 
 a degree, as baffled all his naval (kill and threatened 
 
xvi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 immediate dedruction. In this fituation, when a!l 
 were in a date of defpair, and it was expected that ev- 
 ery fea would fwallow up the crazy verTel, he manifcd- 
 ed a ferenity and prefence of mind, perhaps never e- 
 quailed in cafes of like extremity. 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 cafk and threw it o- 
 verboard ; in hopes that fome accident might pre- 
 ferve a depofit of fo much importance to the world. 
 
 The ftorm however abated, and he at length ar- 
 rived in Spain ; after having been driven by ftrefs of 
 weather into the Port of Lifbon, where he had oppor- 
 tunity in an interview with the King of Portugal, to 
 prove the truth of his fyftem by arguments more con- 
 vincing than thofe he had before advanced, in the 
 character of an humble and unfuccefsful fuitor. He 
 was received every where in Spain with Royal hon- 
 ours, his family was ennobled, and his former dipula- 
 tion refpecling his offices and emoluments was ratifi- 
 ed in the mod folemn manner, by Fardinand and Ifa- 
 bella; while all Europe refounded his praifes and re- 
 ciprocated their joy and congratulations on the difcov- 
 ery of a new world. 
 
 The immediate confequence of this was a fecond 
 voyage; in which Columbus took charge of a fqu ad- 
 ron of feventeen Ships of confiderabie burthen. Vo- 
 lunteers of all ranks and conditions foiicited to be 
 employed in this expedition. He carried over fif- 
 teen hundred perfons, together with all the ncceflV 
 ries for eftabliihing a Colony and extending his dif- 
 coveries. In this voyage he explored mod of the 
 Welt-India Idands ; but, on his arrival at HifpanioJa,- 
 he found the garrifon he had left there had been total- 
 
INTRODUCTION. xvii 
 
 ly deftroyed by the natives, and the fort demoliflied. 
 He however proceeded in the planting of his colo- 
 ny ; and, by his prudent and humane conduct towards 
 the natives* he effectually eftabliihed the Spanifh au- 
 thority in that IQand. But while he was thus laying 
 the foundation of their future grandeur in South A- 
 rnerica, fome difcontented perfons, who had returned 
 from the colony to Spain, together with his former 
 enemies in that Kingdom, confpired to accompiifh 
 his ruin. • 
 
 They reprefented his conduct- in fuch a light at 
 court, as to create uneafinefs and diltruft in the jeal- 
 ous mind of Fardinand, and made it neceffary for Co- 
 lumbus again to return to Spain, in order to counter- 
 act their machinations, and to obtain fuch farther fup- 
 plies as were neceffary to his great political and be- 
 nevolent purpofes. On his arriving at court, and 
 ftating with his ufual dignity and confidence the 
 whole hiftory of his transactions abroad, every thing 
 wore a favourable appearance. He was received with 
 ufual honours, and again {"elicited to take charge of 
 another fquadron, to carry out farther fupplies, 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 Con- 
 tinent of America at the mouth of the river Oronoque: 
 He rectified many dilbrders in his government of Hi- 
 fpaniola which had happened in his abfence -, and ev- 
 ery 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 Spanifh policy 
 and conduct in America. This was the arrival of 
 Francis deEovadilla, with a commiffion tofupercede 
 Columbus in his government ; and with power to ar- 
 raign him as a criminal, and to judge of his former 
 adminiftration, C 
 
xviii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 It feemsthat by this time the enemies cf Columbus, 
 defpairing to complete his overthrow by groundlefs 
 insinuations of mal-conduc~t, had taken the more ef- 
 fectual method of exciting thejealoufy of their Sove-^ 
 reigns. From the promifing lamples of Gold and oth- 
 er valuable commodities brought from America, they 
 took occafion to repreient to the King and Queen, that 
 the prodigious wealth and extent of the countries he 
 had dilcovered would foon throw fuch power into the 
 hands of the Viceroy, that he would trample on the 
 Royal Authority and bid defiance to the Spanifn pow- 
 er. Thefe arguments were well calculated for the 
 cold and fufpicious temper of Fardinand, and they 
 mult have had fome effect upon the mind of Ifabella. 
 The confequence was the appointment of Bavadilla, 
 who had been the inveterate enemy of Columbus, to 
 take the government from his hands. This firft tyrant 
 of the Spaniih nation in America began his admini- 
 ilraticn by ordering Columbus to be put in chains on 
 board a fhip, and fending him prifoner to Spain. By 
 relaxing all diicipline he introduced diforder and licen- 
 ciouihefs throughout the colony. Fie Subjected the 
 unhappy natives toameft miferable fervitude, and ap- 
 portioned them out in large numbers among his adhe- 
 rents. Under this fevere treatment perifhed in afhort 
 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 fuixicient regret at the conduct of Bovadilla to- 
 wards this illuilrious prifoner. He was not only re- 
 leafed from confinement, but treated with all imagin- 
 able refpect. But, although the king endeavoured to 
 expiate the offence by cenfuring and recalling Bova- 
 dilla, yet we may judge of his Sincerity from his ap- 
 pointing Nicholas de Ovando, another bitter enemy 
 of Columbus, to fucceed in the government, and from 
 
INTRODUCTION. xix 
 
 his ever after refufing to reinftate Columbus, or to ful- 
 fil any of the conditions on which the difcovei ies 
 were undertaken. After two years folicitation for this 
 or fome other employment, he at lengrh obtained a 
 fquadron of four fmall veiTels to attempt new difcove- 
 ries. He now fet out, with the ardour and enthufiafm 
 of a young adventurer, in quell of whit was always 
 his favourite object, a paffage into the South Sea, by 
 which he might fail to India. He touched at Hifpan- 
 iola, where Ovando, the governor, refuled him admit- 
 tance onfhore even to take fnelter 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 conti- 
 nent. Several months, in the mod boiflercus feafon 
 of the year, he fpent in exploring the coaii round the 
 gulph of Mexico, in hopes of finding the intended 
 navigation to India. At length he was fhipwrecked, 
 and driven afhore on the Ifland of Jamaica. 
 
 His cup of calamities feemed now completely full. 
 He was call upon an ifland of favages, without pro- 
 vifions, without any vefiel, and thirty leagues from 
 any Spanifh fettlement. But the greater! providen- 
 tial misfortunes are capable of being imbittered by 
 the infults of our fellow creatures. A few of his 
 hardy companions generoufiy offered, in two Indian 
 canoes, to attempt a voyage to Hifpaniola, in hopes 
 of obtaining a veffel for the relief of the unhappy 
 crew. After fuffering every extremity of danger and 
 hardfhip, they arrived at the Spanifh colony in ten 
 days. Ovando, through perlbnal malice and jeal- 
 oufy of Columbus, after having detained thefe rncf- 
 fengers eight months, difpatched a vefTel to Jamaica, 
 in order to fpy out the condition of Columbus and 
 his crew ; with pofitive inftructions to the Captain 
 not to afford them any relief. This order was 
 punctually executed. The Captain approached the 
 
 
xx INTRODUCTION. 
 
 fhore, delivered a letter of empty compliment from 
 Ovando to the Admiral, received his anfwer and re- 
 turned. About four months afterwards a veffel came 
 to their relief; and Columbus, worn out with fatigues 
 and broken with misfortunes, returned for the laft 
 time to Spain. Here a new diftrefs awaited him, 
 which he confidered as one of the-greateft he had fuf- 
 fered, in his whole life. This was the death of Queen 
 Ifabella, his lad 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. Notwithstanding his age and 
 Infirmities, he even folicited to be farther employed 
 In extending the career of diicovery, without a prof- 
 peel: of any other reward but the confeioufnefs of doing 
 good to mankind. But Fardinand, cold, ungrateful 
 and timid, dared not to comply with a fingle propo- 
 sal of this kind, left he Ihould encreafe his own obli- 
 gations to a man, whofe fervices he thought it danger- 
 ous to reward. He therefore delayed and avoided any 
 decifion on thefe Subjects, in hopes that the declining 
 health of Columbus would foon rid the court of the 
 remonfurances of a man, whofe extraordinary merit 
 was, in their opinion, a Sufficient occafion of deftroy- 
 ing him. In this they were not difappointed. Co- 
 lumbus languished a fhort time, and gladly refigned a 
 life, which had been worn out in the moil eilential 
 Services perhaps that were ever rendered, by any hu- 
 man character, to an ungrateful wprld. 
 
 Sometime in this gloomy interval, before his death, 
 the Vifion is fuppofed to have been prefented to him ; 
 in order to Satisfy his benevolent mind, by unfolding 
 to him the importance of his difcoveries, in their ex- 
 tenSive influence upon the intereft and happinefs of 
 mankind, in theprogrefs of Society, 
 
INTRODUCTION. *xi 
 
 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 actu- 
 al imprifonment was previous to his laft vojage 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 mod brilliant fubjects incident to fuch a plan 
 would arife from the confequences of the difcovery, 
 and mull 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 foci- 
 ety 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 con- 
 fined his plan to the train of events which might be re- 
 prefented to the hero in vifion. This form he con- 
 fiders as the bed that the nature of the fubiedl would 
 admit ; and the regularity of the parts wilrfppear by 
 obferving, that there is a fingle poetical defign con- 
 flantly kept in view, which is to gratify and footh the 
 defponding mind of the hero : It being the greareft 
 poflible 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 Joliloquy of Columbus. Appearance and 
 
 Jpeech of the Angel. 'I hey of c end the Mount of Vifion. 
 
 Continent of America draws into view, and is dejcribed 
 
 by the mountains, rivers, lakes, foil, temperature and 
 
 fome of the natural productions. 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK I. 
 
 I ^ ONG had the Sage, the firft who dared to brave 
 The unknown dangers of the weilern wave, 
 Who taught mankind where future empires lay- 
 In thefe fair confines of defcending day. 
 With cares o'erwhelm'd, in life's diftrefting gloom, 
 Wifh'd from a thanklefs world a peaceful tomb j 
 While kings and nations, envious of his name, 
 Enjoy'd his toils and triumph'd o'er his fame, 
 And gave the chief, from promifed empire huiTd, 
 Chains for a crown, a prifon for a world. 
 Now night and filence held their lonely reign, 
 The half-orb'd moon declining to the main ; 
 Defcending clouds, o'er varying ether driven, 
 Obfcured the ftars and fhut the eye from heaven ; 
 Cold mills through opening grates the cell invade, 
 And deathlike terrors haunt the midnight fhade ; 
 When from a vifionary, fhort repofe, 
 That raifed new cares and temper'd keener woes, 
 Columbus woke, and to the walls addrefs'd 
 The deep-felt forrows of his manly bread. 
 
 D 
 
*6 B O O K I. 
 
 Here lies the purchafe, here the wretched fpoil, 
 Of painful years and perfevering toil : 
 For thefe dread walks, this hideous haunt of pain, 
 I traced new regions o'er the pathlefs main, 
 Dared all the dangers of the dreary wave, 
 Hung o'er its clefts andtopp'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; 
 Till, toft far onward to the fkirts of day, 
 Where milder funs difpens'd a fmiling ray, 
 Through brighter fkies my happier fails defcry'd 
 The golden banks that bound the weftern tide, 
 And gave the admiring world that bounteous Ihore 
 Their wealth to nations and to kings their power. 
 
 Oh land of tranfport ! dear, delufive coaft, 
 To thefe fond, aged eyes forever loft ! 
 No more thy gladdening vales I travel o'er, 
 For me thy mountains rear the head no more, 
 For me thy rocks no fparkling gems unfold, 
 Or ftreams luxuriant wear their paths in gold ; 
 From realms of promifed peaceibrever borne, 
 I hail dread anguifh, and in fecret mourn. 
 
 But dangers paft, fair climes explored in vain. 
 And foes triumphant mew but half my pain. 
 Diffembling friends, each earlier joy who gave, 
 And fired my youth the ftorms of fate to brave, 
 
B O O K I. A7 
 
 Swarm'd in the funfhine of my happier days, 
 Purfued the fortune and partook the praife, 
 Core in my doubtful caufe a twofold part, 
 The garb of friendfhip and the viper' s heart, 
 Pafs my loath'd cell with fmiles of four difdain, 
 Infult my woes and triumph in my pain. 
 
 One gentle guardian Heaven indulgent gave, 
 And now that guardian (lumbers in the grave. 
 Hear from above, thou dear departed fhade, 
 As once my joys, my prefent forrows aid, 
 Burn: my full heart, afford that lad relief, 
 Breathe back my fighs and reinfpire my grief; 
 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, 
 When kings and courtiers found their factions vain, 
 Blind Superftition ihrunk beneath her chain, 
 The fun's glad beam led on the circling way, 
 And ifles rofe beauteous in the weflern day. 
 But o'er thofefilvery ihores, that fair domain, 
 What crouds of tyrants fix their horrid reign ! 
 Again fair Freedom feeks her kindred fkies, 
 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 fhades conclude my inftant doom, 
 And this drear manfion moulder to a tomb* 
 
a* B O O K I. 
 
 Thus mourn'd the haplefs chief; a thundering found 
 Roll'd round the fhuddering walls and {hook the 
 O'er all the dome, where felemn arches bend, [ground; 
 The roofs unfold and dreams of light defcend ; 
 The growing fplendor fill'd the aftonilh'd room, 
 And gales etherial breathed a glad perfume ; 
 Mild in the midft a radiant feraph fhone, 
 Robed in the veftments of the rifing fun ; 
 Tall rofe his ftature, youth's primeval grace 
 Moved o'er his limbs and brighten'd in his face, 
 His clofmg wings, in golden plumage dreft, 
 With gentle fvveep came folding o'er his bieaft, 
 His locks in rolling ringlets glittering hung, 
 And founds melodious moved his heavenly tongue. 
 
 Rife, trembling Chief, to fcenes of rapture, rife, 
 This voice awaits thee from the approving fkies; 
 Thy juft complaints, in heavenly audience known. 
 Call mild companion from the indulgent throne ; 
 Let grief no more awake the piteous ftrain, 
 Nor think thy piety or toils are vain. 
 Tho' faithlefs men thy injured worth defpife, 
 Deprefs all virtue and infult the fkies, 
 Yet look thro' nature, Heaven's own conduct trace, 
 What power divine fuftains the unthankful race ! 
 From that great Source, that life-infpiring Soul, 
 Suns drew their light and fyftems learn'd to roll, 
 Time walk'd the filent round, and life began, 
 And God's fair image flamp'd the mind of man, 
 
B O O K 1. 29 
 
 Down the long vale, where rolling years defcend, 
 To thy own* days, behold his care extend ; 
 From one eternal Spring, what love proceeds ! 
 Smiles in the feraph, in the Saviour bleeds, 
 Shines through all worlds, that fill the bounds of fpace, 
 And lives immortal in thy favcur'd race. 
 Yet no return the almighty Power can know, 
 From earth to heaven no juft reward can flow, 
 Men fpread their wants, the all-bounteous hand fup- 
 And gives the joys that mortals dare defpife. [plies, 
 In thefe dark vales where blinded faction fways, 
 Wealth pride and conquefl claim the palm of praife, 
 Aw'd into flaves, while groping millions groan^ 
 And blood-ftain'd fleps lead upwards to a throne. 
 
 Far other wreaths thy virtuous temples claim, 
 Far nobler honours build thy facred name, 
 Thine be the joys the immortal mind that grace 
 Pleas'd with the toils, that blefs thy kindred race. 
 Now raife thy ravifh'd foul to fcenes more bright, 
 The glorious fruits afcendingon thy fight ; 
 For, wing'd with fpeed, from brighter worlds I came, 
 To footh thy grief and fhow thy diftant fame. 
 
 As that great Seer, whofe animating rod 
 Taught Ifrael's fons the wonder-working God, 
 Who led, thro* dreary waftes, the murmuring band 
 To the fair confines of the promifed land, 
 Opprefs'd with years, from Pifgah's beauteous height, 
 O'er boundlefs regions caft the raptured fight 5 
 
*p B O O K I, 
 
 o 
 
 The joys of unborn nations warm'd his breaft, 
 Repaid his toils and footh'd his foul to reft -, 
 Thus, o'er thy fubjecl: wave, fhalt thou behold 
 Far happier realms their future charms unfold, 
 In nobler pomp another Pifgah rife, 
 Beneath whofe foot thine own Canaan lies ; 
 There, rapt in vinon, hail the diftant clime, 
 And tafte the bleiTings of remotell time. 
 
 The Seraph fpoke ; and now before them lay 
 (The doors unbair'd) a deep afcending way, 
 That, through difparting fhades, arofe on high, 
 Reach'd o'er the hills and lengthen'd up the fky> 
 Op^d a fair fummit, graced with rifing flowers, 
 Sweet odours breathing through celeftial bowers* 
 O'er proud Hifpanian fpires, it looks fublime > 
 Subjects the Alps and levels all the clime. 
 !Led by the Power, the hero gain'd the height, 
 A touch from heaven fublimed his mortal fight, 
 And, calm beneath them, flow'd the weftern main, 
 Far ftretch'd, immenfe, a fky-encircled plain ; 
 No fail, no ifle, no cloud invefts the bound, 
 Nor billowy furge difturbs the unvaried round ; 
 Till, deep in diftant heavens, the fun's dim ray 
 Topp'd unknown cliffs and call'd them up to day ; 
 Slow glimmering into fight wide regions drew, 
 And rofe and brighten'd on the expanding view; 
 Fair fweep the waves, the lelTening ocean fmiles, 
 And breathes the fragrance of a thoufand illes; 
 
BOOKl. it 
 
 Near and more near the long-drawn coafts irife, 
 Bays ftretch their arms and mountains lift the fkics, 
 The lakes, unfolding, point the Breams their way, 
 The plains the hills their lengthening fkirts difplay, 
 The vales draw forth, high walk the approaching 
 And all the majefty of nature moves. [groves, 
 
 O'er the wild climes his eyes delighted rove, 
 Where lands extend and glittering waters move > 
 He faw through central realms, the winding friore 
 Spread the deep gulph, his fail had traced before. 
 The rocky ifthmus meet the raging tide, 
 Join diflant lands and neighbouring feas divide, 
 On either fide the fhores unbounded bend, 
 Pufh wide their waves and to the poles afcend * 
 While two fair continents united rife, 
 Broad as the main and lengthen'd with the fkies. 
 
 Such views around them fbread, when thus the Gui&v, 
 Here bounteous earth difplays her nobled pride, 
 Ages unborn fhall blefs the happy day, 
 When thy bold ftreamers fteer'd the tracklefs way, 
 O'er thefe delightful realms thy fons (hall tread, 
 And following millions trace the path you led. 
 Behold yon ifles, where firft the flag, unfurl'd, 
 Waved peaceful triumph o'er the newfound world, 
 Where, aw'd to filence, favage bands gave place, 
 And hail'd with joy the fun-defcended race. 
 
 Sec there the banks that pureft waters lave, 
 Swift Oronoque rolls back the ocean's wave, 
 
32 B O O K 1. 
 
 The well known current cleaves the lofty coaft* 
 Where Paria's walks thy former footfteps boaft. 
 Thefe fcanty fhores no more thy joys fhall bound; 
 See nobler profpecls lead their fwelling 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, 
 On whole broad bale, like clouds together driven, 
 A world exalted props the fkirts of heaven. 
 From fouth to north what long, blue fronts arife ! 
 Ridge over ridge, and loft in ambient fides ! 
 Approaching near, they heave expanding bounds, 
 The yielding concave bends fublimer rounds, 
 Earth's loftiefl 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, 
 Afcending, whitening, how the craggs are loft ! 
 O'erwhelm'd with Summits of eternal froft ; 
 Broad fields of ice give back the morning ray, 
 Like walls of funs or heaven's perennial day. 
 . There folding ftorms on eaftern pinions ride, 
 Veil the black heavens and wrap the mountain's fide, 
 The thunders rake the craggs, the rains defcend, 
 And the long lightnings o'er the vallies bend, 
 While blafts unburden'd fweep the cliffs of fnow, 
 The whirlwinds whedaboye ; t;he floods convolve below. 
 
B O O K I. 33 
 
 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 fhores heave backward and the feas retire. 
 There (lumbering vengeance waits the Almighty call, 
 Long ages hence to fhake fome guilty wall ; 
 Thy pride, O Lima, fwells the fulph'rous wave, 
 And fanes and priefts and idols croud thy grave. 
 
 But ceafe, my fon, thefe dread events to trace, 
 Nor learn the woes that wait thy kindred race. 
 Beyond thofe glimmering hills, in lands unknown, 
 O'er the wide gulph, beyond the flaming zone, 
 Thro' milder climes, fee gentler mountains rife, 
 Where yon dim regions bound the northern fkies. 
 Back from the fhore afcending champaigns run, 
 And lift their heights to hail theeaftern fun, 
 Through all the midland realm, to yon blue pole, 
 The green hills lengthen and the rivers roll. 
 
 So lpoke the bled Immortal j when, more near, 
 The northern climes in various pomp appear ; 
 Lands yet unknown, and dreams without a name 
 Rife into vifion and demand their fame. 
 As when fome faint, in heaven's fubiime abode, 
 Extends his views o'er all the works of God - 9 
 While earth's fair circuit in his prefence rolls, 
 Here glows the centre and there point the poles ; 
 O'er land and fea his eyes fublimely rove, 
 And joys of mortals kindle heaven with love 5 
 
 E 
 
34 
 
 BOOK I 
 
 With equal glance the great Obferver's fight 
 Ranged the low vale or climb'd the cloudly height^ 
 As, led by heaven's own light, his raptured mind, 
 Explored the realms that here await mankind. 
 
 Now the (till morn had tinged the mountain's brow 
 And rifing radiance warm'd the plains below -, 
 Streteh'd o'er Virginian hills, in long array, 
 The beauteous Alleganies met the day. 
 From fultry Mobile's rich Floridian more, 
 To where Ontario bids hoarfe Laurence roar, 
 O'er the clear mountain-tops and winding ftreams,' 
 Role a pure azure, ftreak'd with orient beams ; 
 Fair fpread the fcene, the hero gazed fublime, 
 And thus in profpect hail'd the happy clime. 
 
 BleU ihores of fame, conceal'd in earlier days 
 To lure my fleps to trace the untempted feas ! 
 And bled the race my guardian Saint fhall lead, 
 Where thefe tall forefts wave the beckoning head. 
 Thro' each wide ridge what various treafures fhine ! 
 Sleep there ye diamonds, and ye ores refine, 
 Exalt your heads ye oaks, ye pines afcend, 
 Till future navies bid your branches bend, 
 Then fpread the canvafs o'er the fubject fea, 
 Explore new worlds and teach the old your fway. 
 
 He faid, and northward call his wondering eyes, 
 Where other cliffs, in other climes, arife, 
 Where bleak Acadia fpreads the dangerous coaft, 
 And ifles and fhoals their latent horrors boaft,. 
 
BOOK I. 35 
 
 High in the diflant heaven, the hoary height 
 Heaves the glad failor an eternal light. 
 Nor could thofe hills, unnoticed, raife their head, 
 That look fublime o'er Hudfon's winding bed - } 
 Tho' no bold fiction rear them to the fkies, 
 And neighbouring fummits far fupcrior rife, 
 Yet the blue Kaatikill, where the florms divide, 
 Would lift the heavens from Atlas' labouring pride. 
 
 Awhile the ridgv heights his notice claim, 
 And hills unnumber'd role without a name, 
 Which placed, in pomp, en any eaftern more, 
 Taurus would (brink, the Alps be fling no more ; 
 For here great nature, more exalted fhow'd 
 The laft afcending footfleps of her God. 
 
 He faw thofe mountains ope their watery flore, 
 Floods leave their caves and feek the diflant iliore, 
 Down the long hills and through the fubjccl plain, 
 Roll the delightful currents to the main j [flrand, 
 Whofe numerous channels cleave the lengthening 
 And heave their banks where future towns muft (land ; 
 He flretch'd his eager glance from pole to pole, 
 Traced all their fources and explored the whole. 
 
 Firfl, from the dreadful Andes' opening fide, 
 He faw Maranon lead his foverei^n tide. 
 
 o 
 
 A thoufand hills for him diflblve their fnovv, 
 A thoufand flreams obedient bend below, 
 From diflant lands their devious courfes wind, 
 Sweep beds of ore and leave their gold behind, 
 
36 BOOK I. 
 
 In headlong cataracts indignant heave, [wave. 
 
 Rufh to his opening banks and fwell the fweeping 
 
 Ucayla, chief of all his mighty fons, 
 From Cufco's bounds a lengthening circuit runs ; 
 Yutay moves gently in a fhorter -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, 
 The roaring N3po quits his mifty fky, 
 Down the long iteeps, in whitening torrents driven, 
 Like Nile defcending from his fabled heaven. 
 While other waves and lakes unknown to fame, 
 Drfcharge their urns and fill the fwelling ftream, 
 That, far, from clime to clime, majeflic goes, 
 Enlarging widening deepening as it flows -, 
 Approaching ocean hears the diftant roar, 
 Moves up the bed, nor finds the expected Ihore ; 
 His frefhening waves, with high and hoary tide, 
 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 
 
 Now, where the fun in milder glory beams, [deep. 
 Brazilia's hills pour down their fpreading ftreams, 
 The fmiling lakes their opening fides di/piay, 
 And winding vales prolong the devious way -, 
 He faw Xaraya's diamond banks unfold, 
 And Paraguay's deep channel paved with geld., 
 
B O O K I. 37 
 
 Saw proud Potofi lift his glittering head, 
 Whence the clear Plata wears his tinctur'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 namelefs dreams from various mountains fed - t 
 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 oped the widening way, 
 Fair gleaming weftward to the Placid Sea. 
 Soon as the diftant wave was ken to roll, 
 His ancient wifhes* fill'd his rifing foul, 
 Warm from his heaving heart an anxious figh 
 Breathed o'er his lips ; he turn'd his moiflen'd eye, 
 And thus befought the Angel. Speak, my guide, 
 Where leads the pafs ? and whence yon purple tide ? 
 Deep in the blue horizon, widely fpread, 
 What liquid realms in blending ether fade ! 
 How the dim waters fkirt the bounds of day ! 
 No lands behind them rife, no dreamers in them play. 
 In thofe low Ikies extends the boundlefs main, 
 I fought fo long, and fought, alas, in vain. 
 
 * The great objecl: of Columbus in moft of his voyages was to dif- 
 cover a weftern paffage to India. For this purpofe he navigated the 
 gulph of Mexico, with great care, and was much difappointed in 
 not finding a pafs into the South Sea. The view he is here fup- 
 pofed to have of that ocean would therefore naturally recall his 
 former defire of failing round the world. 
 
^ B O O K I. 
 
 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 more from luft of empire free ; 
 In that far world to fix a peaceful bower, 
 From envy fafe, and curftOvando's power. 
 Since joys of mortals claim thy guardian care, 
 Oh blefs the nations and regard my prayer : 
 There reft forever kingdoms unexplored, 
 A God creating, and no God adored. 
 Earth's happieft realms (hall endlefs darknefs hide ? 
 And feas forever roll their ufelefs tide ? 
 Grant, heavenly guide, the welcome talk to dare, 
 One venturous bark, and be my life thy care. 
 The hero fpoke y the Seraph mild replies, 
 While warm companion foften'd in his eyes •, 
 Though {till to virtuous deeds thy mind afpires, 
 And heavenly vifions kindle new defires -, 
 Yet hear with reverence what attends thy ftate, 
 Nor pafs the confines of eternal fate. 
 Led by this facred light thy foul {hall fee, 
 That half mankind {hall 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. 
 
 Beyond thofe feas, the well-known climes arife. 
 Where morning fplendors §ild the eaftern fkies, 
 
B O O K I. 39 
 
 The circling courfe to India's happy fhores, 
 Round Afric's coaft, bold Gama now explores ; 
 Another pafs thefe opening ftraits provide, 
 Nor long fhall reft the daring fearch untry'd j 
 This watery glade fhall open foon to fame, 
 Here a loft hero fix his lafting name, 
 From that new main in furious waves be toft, 
 And fall neglected on the barbarous coaft. 
 
 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 paries, and awake ye gales, 
 Move thou before him, heaven-revolving fun, 
 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 huiTd, 
 A new Columbus to the aftoninYd world. 
 
 He fpoke ; and filent tow'rd the northern fky, 
 Wide o'er the realms the hero caft his eye ; 
 Saw the long floods pour forth their watery ftcres 3 
 And wind their currents to the opening fhores ; 
 While midland feas and lonely lakes difplay 
 Their glittering glories to the beams* of day. 
 Thy capes, Virginia, towering from the tide, 
 Railed up their arms and branch'd their borders wide j 
 Whofe broad embrace in cireling extent lay, 
 Round the calm bofomofthy beauteous bay. 
 
40 B O O K I. 
 
 y 
 
 Where commerce fince has wing'd her channeled flight 
 Each fpreading ftream lay brightening to the light ; 
 York led his wave, imbank'd in mazy pride, 
 And nobler James fell winding by his fide -, 
 Back tow'rd the diftant hills, through many a vale, 
 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 ftray, 
 Where frowning forefts ftretch the dufky wing, 
 And deadly damps forbid the flowers to fpring, 
 No feafons clothe the field with beauteous grain, 
 No buoyant fnip attempt the ufelefs main, 
 With fond impatience, Heavenly Seer, he cry 'd, 
 When mall my children crofs the lonely tide ? 
 Here, here, myfons, 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, 
 Bear the deep burden from the joyous fwain, 
 And tell the world where peace and plenty reign. 
 
 Nov/ round the coaft, where other floods invite, 
 He fondly turn'd , they flll'd his eager fight : 
 Here Del'ware's waves the yielding mores invade, 
 And here bold Hudfon oped a glafly glade ; 
 Thy parent ftream, fair Hartford, met his eye, 
 Far lefTening upward to the northern fky ; 
 
BOOK I: 41 
 
 No watery gleams thro' happier valleys mine, 
 Nor drinks the Tea a lovlier wave than thine. 
 Bright Charles and Myftick laved their bloomy ifles, 
 And gay Piicatuway caught his patting fmiles ; 
 Swift Kenebeck, defcending from on high, 
 Swept the tall hills and lengthen'd down the fky ; 
 When hoarfe refounding through the gaping fh'ore$ 
 He heard cold Laurence' dreadful furges roar. 
 Tho' foftening May had waked the vernal blade, 
 And happier climes her fragrant garb difplay'd, 
 Yet howling winter, in this bleak domain, 
 Shook the wide wafte and held his gloomy reign; 
 Still groans the flood, in frozen fetters bound, 
 And ides of ice his threatening front fiirround, 
 Clothed in white majefty, the foaming main 
 Leads up the tide and tempts the wintery chain, 
 Billows on billows life the maddening biine, 
 And feas and clouds in battling con flidr. join, 
 The dafh'd wave ftruggling heaves in fwelling fweep; 
 Wide crafh the portals of the frozen deep, 
 Till forced aloft, high-bounding in the air, 
 Moves the blear ice and fheds a hideous glare, 
 The torn foundations on the furface ride, 
 And wrecks of winter load the downward tide. 
 
 When now the ftream had oped its northern courfe, 
 He traced the current to its milder fource ; 
 There, far retired, the Angellic Power difplays 
 Earth's fweeteft charms, her own imbofom'd feas. 
 
 F 
 
42 B O O K I. 
 
 Ontario's banks* fair Opening on the north, 
 With fweep majeftic, pour'd his Laurence forth ; 
 Above, bold Erie's wave fublimely ftood, 
 Look'd o'er the clifFand heaved the headlong floods 
 Far circling in the north; great Huron fpread, 
 And Michigan o'erwhelm'd a weftern bed j 
 While, ftretch'd in circling majefty away", 
 The deep Superior clofed the fetting day. 
 
 Here all the midland feas their waves unite, 
 And gleam in grandeur to the hero's fight ; 
 Wide opening round them lands delightful fpread, 
 Deep groves innumerous caft a folemn fhade j 
 Slow moved the fettling mift in lurid ftreams, 
 And dufky radiance brown'd the glimmering beams \ 
 O'er all the great Difcoverer wondering ftood, 
 And thus addrefs'd the mefTenger of good. 
 
 What lonely walks, what wonderous wilds arethefe \ 
 What branching vales run fmiling to their feas ? 
 The peaceful feats, referved by Heaven to grace, 
 The virtuous toils of fome illuftrious race. 
 But why thefe regions form'd fo fair in vain ? 
 And why fo diftant rolls the unconfcious main ? 
 Thefe defert fountains muft forever reft, 
 Of man unfeen, by native beafts poifeft ; 
 For, fee, no fhip can point the ftreamer here, 
 No opening pafs, no fpreading ocean near; 
 Eternal winter clothes the fhelvy fhores, 
 Where yon far northern *fon of ocean roars; 
 5 St. Laurence. 
 
B O O K I, 43 
 
 Or fhould fome bark the daring entrance brave, 
 And climes by culture warm his leffening wave, 
 Yon frightful cataract exalts the brow, 
 And frowns defiance to the world below. 
 
 To whom the Seraph. Here extended lies 
 The happieft realm that feels the foftering fkies j 
 Led by this arm thy fons fhail hither come, 
 And dreams obedient yield the heroes room • 
 Nor think no pafs can find the diftanr main, 
 Or heaven's laft polifh touch'd thefe climes in vain. 
 Behold, from yon fair lake, the current led, 
 And filent waves adorn its infant head ; 
 Far fouth thro' happy regions fee it wind, 
 By gathering floods a r.d nobler fountains join'd, 
 Yon opening gulph receive the beauteous wa/e, 
 And thy known ides its freshening current lave ; 
 There lies the path fome future fhip (hall trace, 
 And waft to thefe wide vales thy kindred race. 
 
 The hero faw the blooming ifles afcend 
 And round the gulph the circling more extend. 
 He faw fair Mifiifippi wind his way, 
 Through all the weftern boundlefs tracts of day j 
 Where Alleganies ftrctch the morning (hade, 
 From lone Ofwago to the gulphy glade, 
 Where abfent funsp their midnight circles ride, 
 Pours the long current of his ruining tide. 
 Unnumberd branches from the channel ftray, 
 Akanfa here, and there Miflburi lay, 
 
44 B O O K I. 
 
 Rcyge rolFd his wave along the weftern wild, 
 And broad Ohio's northern beauties fmiled. 
 
 Retiring far round Hudfon's frozen bay, 
 Where leflfening circles ihrink beyond the day, 
 The fhivering flirubs fcarce brave the difmal clime, 
 Snows ever-rifing with the years of time ; 
 .The beads all whitening roam the lifelefs plain, 
 And caves unfrequent fcoop the couch for man. , 
 
 Where Spring's coy fteps, in cold Canadia, ftray, 
 And joylefs feafons hold unequal fway> 
 He faw the pine its daring mantle rear, 
 Break the rude blaft and mock the inclement year. 
 Secure the limits of the angry ikies, 
 And bid all fouthern vegetation rife. 
 Wild o'er the vaft, impenetrable round, 
 The untrod bowers of fhadowy nature frown 'd - y 
 The neighbouring cedar waved its honours wide, 
 The fir's tall boughs, the oak's refiftlefs pride, 
 The branching beach, the afpin's trembling fhade, 
 Veil'd the dim heavens and brown'd the dufky glade. 
 Here in huge crouds thofe fturdy fons of earth, 
 In frofly regions, claim a nobler birth -, 
 Where heavy trunks the flickering dome requires, 
 And copious fuel feeds the wintery fires. 
 W 7 hi!e warmer funs, that fouthern climes emblaze 5 
 A cool deep umbrage o'er the woodland raife ; 
 Floridia's blooming fhores around him fpread, 
 And Georgian hills erec~t their fhady head 5 
 
B O O K I. 4J 
 
 Beneath tall trees, in livelier verdure gay, 
 Long level walks a humble garb difplay ; 
 The infant corn, unconfcious of its worth, 
 Points the green fpire and bends the foliage forth ; 
 Sweetend on flowery banks, the pafiing air 
 Breathes all the untafted fragrance of the year; 
 Unbidden harvefts o'er the regions rife, 
 And blooming life repays the genial Ikies. 
 Where circling fhores around the gulph extend, 
 The bounteous groves with richer burdens bend; 
 Spontaneous fruits the uplifted palms unfold, 
 The beauteous orange waves a load of gold, 
 The untaught vine, the wildly-wanton cane 
 Bloom on the wafte, and clothe the enarbour'd plain. 
 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; 
 No wintery blafts the unchanging year deform, 
 Nor beads unihelter'd fear the pinching dorm ; 
 But vernal breezes o'er the bloiToms rove, 
 And breathe the ripen 'd juices thro' the grove. 
 Beneath the cryflal wave's inconftant light, 
 Pearls undiftinguiiVd fparkle on the fight; 
 From opening earth, in living luftre, fhine 
 The various treafures of the blazing mine ; 
 Hills, cleft before him, all their (lores unfold, 
 The quick mercurius and the burning gold; 
 
46 B O O K I. 
 
 Gems of unnumber'd hues, in bright array, 
 Illume the changing rocks and fried the beams of day, 
 
 When now the Chief had travel'd with his eye, 
 O'er each fair clime that meets the incumbent iky 5 
 The ftream, the mountain, foreft, vale and plain, 
 And ifle and coaft, and wide untravers'd main ; 
 He caft, o'er all, the immeafurable glance, 
 And all pad views in one broad vifion dance. 
 Skirting the weftern heavens and each far pole, 
 With blending ikies Pacific oceans roll, 
 Atlantic furges lead their fwelling round, 
 And diflant (Iraits the polar confines bound. 
 The weftern coafts their long, high fummits heave, 
 And look majeftic o'er the fubjecl: wave; 
 While, on the lowly eaft, the winding ftrand 
 Draws from the filent fea and gently deals to land. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION of C OLUMBUS, 
 
 BOOK II, 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 Natives of America appear in vifion. 'Their manners 
 and characters, Columbus enquires the caufe of the 
 diffimilarity of nations. The Angel replies — That 
 the human body is compofed of a due proportion of the 
 elements fuited to the place of its fir ft creation— that 
 theje elements, differently proportioned, produce all the 
 changes of health, ficknefs, growth and decay ; and 
 will likewife produce any other changes which Gcca- 
 JtGtt the diverfity of men — that thefe elemental propor- 
 tions are varied, not more by climate, than tempera- 
 ture, and many other local accidents — that the mind 
 is likewife in a ft at 6 of change, and will take itsphyf- 
 ical charatler from the body and from external cb- 
 jetls : examples. Enquiry and anfzver concerning the 
 firft peopling cf America. View of Mexico. Its de- 
 ftruclion by Cortez. View of Cufco and ' §>uito, 
 cities of Peru* Tradition of Cap a c and Oella, found- 
 ers of the Peruvian empire. Columbus enquires 
 their real hiftory. The Angel gives an account of 
 their origin, and relates the ftratagems they ufed in 
 eftablijhing that empire. 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK II. ' 
 
 X jJGH o'er the changing fcene, as thus he gazed, 
 The indulgent Power his arm fublimely raifed - y 
 When round the realms fuperior luftre flew, 
 And call'd new wonders to the hero's view. 
 
 He law, at once, as far as eye could rove, 
 Like fcattering herds, the fwarthy people move, 
 In tribes innumerable j all the wafte, 
 Beneath their fceps, a varying fhadow cad. 
 As airy fhapes, beneath the moon's pale eye, 
 When broken clouds fail o'er the curtain'd Iky, 
 Spread thro' the grove and flit along the glade, 
 And cad their griQy phantoms thro' the fliade; 
 So move the hordes, in thickets half conceal'd, 
 Or vagrant (talking o'er the open field. 
 Here ever-reftlefs tribes, defpifing home, 
 O'er fhadowy ftreams and tracklefs deferts roam ; 
 While others there, thro' downs and hamlets ftray, 
 And rifing domes a happier ftate difpiay. 
 
 The painted chiefs, in death's grim terrors dreft, 
 Rife fierce to war, and beat the favage bread ; 
 
 G 
 
50 B O K II. 
 
 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 diflant wood, 
 Wide as a ftorm, and dreadful as a flood ; 
 Now deep in groves the filent ambuih lay, 
 Or wing the flight or fweep the prize away, 
 Unconfcious babes and reverend fires devour, 
 Drink the warm blood and paint their cheeks with gore. 
 
 While all their mazy movements fill the view, 
 Where'er they turn his eager eyes purfue ; 
 He faw the fame dire vifage thro' the whole, 
 And mark'd the fame fierce favagenefs of foul : 
 In doubt he flood, with anxious thoughts opprefs'd, 
 And thus his wavering mind the Power addrefs'd. 
 
 Say, from what fource, O Voice of wifdom, fprung 
 The countlefs tribes of this amazing throng ? 
 Where human frames and brutal fouls combine, 
 No force can tame them and no arts refine. 
 Can thefe be fafhion'd on the focial plan ? 
 Or boaft a lineage with the race of man ? 
 In yon fair ifle, when firft my wandering view 
 Ranged the glad coaft and met the favage crew ; 
 A timorous herd, like harmlefs roes, they ran, 
 HaiPd us as Gods from whom their race began, 
 Supply'd our various wants, relieved our toil, 
 And oped the unbounded treafures of their ifle. 
 
B O O K II. 51 
 
 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, 
 Returning rage their changing bofoms fwell'd ; 
 Their jaws the crimfon dainty long'd to tafte, 
 And fpread, with foreign flefh, the rich repaft. 
 My homeward fail, far diftant on the main, 
 Incautious left a fmall unguarded train, 
 When, in their horrid power, bereft of aid, 
 That train with thee, O loft Arada, bled. 
 No faith no treaty calms their maddening flame, 
 Rage all their joy, and (laughter all their aim ; 
 How the dread favage bands with fury burn'd, 
 When o'er the wave our growing hod return'd ! 
 Now, mild with joy, a friendly fmile they fhow'd, 
 And now their dark-red vifage frown'd in blood ; 
 Till, caird afar, from all the circling more, 
 Swift thro' the groves the yelling fquadrons pour, 
 The wide wings ftretching fweep the unbounded plain, 
 That groans beneath the innumerable train. 
 Our fcanty files, afcending o'er the ftrand, 
 Tread the bold champaign and the fight demand -, 
 With fleeds and hounds the dreadful onfet moves, 
 And thundering batteries rend the diftant groves; 
 Swift fly the fcattering foes, like fhades of night, 
 When orient fplendors urge their rapid flight. 
 Our proffer'd friendfhip bade the difcord ceafe, 
 Spared the grim hoft and gave the terms of peace. 
 
52 B O O K II. 
 
 The arts of civil life we flrove to lend, 
 Their lands to culture and their joys extend, 
 Sublime their views, fair virtue's charms difplay, 
 And point their paffage to eternal day. 
 
 Still proud to rove, our offers they difdain, 
 Infultour friendfhip and our rites prophane. 
 In that bled ifland, ftill the myriads reft, 
 Bufk in the funfhine, wander with the beaft, 
 Feed on the foe, or from the victor fly, 
 Rife into life, exhauft their rage, and die. 
 
 Tell then, my Seer, from what dire fons of earth 
 The brutal people drew their ancient birth ? 
 Whether in realms, the weflern heavens that clofe, 
 A tribe difiinct from other nations rofe, 
 Born to fubjection; when, in happier time, 
 A nobler race fhould hail their fruitful clime. 
 Or, if a common fourceall nations claim, 
 Their lineage, form, and reafoning powers the fame. 
 What fovereign caufe, in fecret wifdom laid, 
 This wonderous change in God's own work has made ? 
 Why various powers of foul and tints of face 
 In different climes diverfify the race ? 
 
 To whom the Guide - 3 Unnumber'd caufes lie 
 In earth and fea and round the varying fky, 
 That fire the foul, or damp the genial flame, 
 And work their wonders on the human frame. 
 See beauty, form and colour change with place — - 
 Here charms of health the blooming vifage grate \ 
 
B O O K II. 53 
 
 There pale difeafes float in every wind, 
 Deform the figure, and degrade the mind. 
 
 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 ; 
 Pervade the pores, awake the infant bloom, 
 Lead life along, and ope the certain tomb ; 
 In each afcending flage the man fuftain, 
 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 the efficient caufes reign, 
 Age following age the unvaried race maintain. 
 But where crude elements diflemper'd rife, 
 And cad their fickening vapours round the Ikies, 
 Unlike that harmony of human frame, 
 Where God's firft works and nature's were the fame, 
 The unconfcious tribes, attempering to the clime, 
 Still vary downward with the years of time ; 
 Till fix'd, at lad, their characters abide, 
 And local likenefs feeds their local pride. 
 The foul too varying with the changing clime, 
 Feeble or fierce, or groveling or fublime, 
 Forms with the body to a kindred plan, 
 And lives the fame, a nation or a man. 
 
 Yet think not clime alone, or height of poles^ 
 On every iliore, the fprings of life controuls ; 
 
54 B O O K- II. 
 
 A different caft the glowing zone demands, 
 In P aria'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. 
 Where thefelong fhores their boundiefs regions fpread 
 See the fame form all different tribes pervade j 
 Thro' all, alike, the fertile forefls bloom, 
 And all, uncultured, fhed a folemn gloom $ 
 Thro* ail great nature's bolded features rife, 
 Sink into vales and tower amid the ikies ,* 
 Streams, darkly-winding, ftretch a broader fway, 
 The groves and mountains bolder walks difplay j 
 A dread fublimity informs the whole, 
 And wakes a dread fublimity of foul. 
 
 Yet time and art fhail other changes find, 
 And open ftiil and vary (till 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, 
 Difplay the wild complexion of the place. 
 Yet when their tribes to happy nations rife, 
 And earth by culture warms the genial fides, 
 A fairer tint and more majeftic grace 
 Shall flufh their features and exalt the race; 
 While milder arts, with focial joys refined, 
 Infpire new beauties in the growing mind. 
 
B O O K II. 55 
 
 Thy followers too, fair Europe's nobleft pride, 
 When future gales mall wing them o'er the tide, 
 A ruddier hue* and deeper fhade (hall gain, 
 And ftalk, in ftarelier figures, o'er the plain. 
 While nature's grandeur lifts the eye abroad 
 O'er thefe dread footHeps of the forming God ; 
 Wing'd on a wider glance the venturous foul 
 Bids greater powers and bolder thoughts unroll ; 
 The fage, the chief, the patriot, unconfined, 
 Shield the weak world and counfel for mankind. 
 
 But think not thou, in all the race of man, 
 That different pairs, in different climes, began ; 
 Or tribes diftinct, by fignal marks confeft, 
 Were born to ferve or fubjugate the reft. 
 
 The hero heard ; But fay, celeftial Guide, 
 Who led the wanderers o'er the billowy tide ? 
 Could thefe dark bands, unfkill'd the paths to gain, 
 To build the bark, or cnnfs the extended main, 
 Defcry the coaft, or tread the blefi abode, 
 Unled, unguided by the hand of God ? 
 
 When iirit thy roving race, the Power reply 'd, 
 Learn'd by the liars the devious fail to guide, 
 From flormy Hellefpent explored the way, 
 And fought the bound Vies of the midland fea; 
 Ere great Alcides form'd the impious plan, 
 To bound the fail and fix the range of man, 
 
 * The complexion of the inhabitants of North America, who 
 are defcended from the Engliih and Dutch, is evidently darker, 
 and their ilature taller, thaa thofe cf the Engliih and Dutch ia 
 Europe. 
 
& BOOK IL 
 
 Driven from thofe rocky {traits, ahaplefs train 
 Roll'd on the waves that fvveep the wefterri main j 
 While eaftcrn ftorms the billowing ikies o'erfhade, 
 Nor fun nor ftars afford their wonted aid. 
 For many a darkfome day, o'erwhelm'd and toil, 
 Their fails, their oars in fwallowing furges loft; 
 At length, the clouds withdrawn, they fad defcry 
 Their courfe directing from their native Iky j 
 No hope remains ; while, o'er the flaming zone, 
 The winds dill bear them with the circling fun ; 
 Till the wild walks of this delightful coaft 
 Receive to lonely feats the fuffering hoft. 
 The fruitful plains invite their fleps to roam, 
 Renounce their forrows and forget their home; 
 Revolving years their ceafclefs wanderings led, 
 And from their fons defcending nations fpread. 
 
 Thefe round the fouth agld middle regions ftrayy 
 Where cultured fields their "growing arts difplay ; 
 While northern tribes a later fource demand, 
 And fliow their wanderers from the Afian ftrand. 
 Far tow Yd the diilant pole thy view extend ; 
 See ides and mores and feas Pacific blend; 
 And that blue coaft:, where Amur's currents glide > 
 From thy own world a narrow frith divide ; 
 There Tartar hofls for countlefs years, have fail'd, 
 And changing tribes the alternate regions hail'd. 
 
 He look'd : the opening fnores beneath him fpread, 
 And moving nations on the margin tread. 
 
B O O K II. 57 
 
 As, when autumnal dorms awake their force, 
 The dorks foreboding tempt their fouthern courlej 
 From all the fields collecting throngs arife, 
 Mount on the wing and croud along the fkies; 
 Thus, to his eye, from far Siberia's fhore, 
 O'er ifles and feas, the gathering people pour; 
 From thofe cold regions hail a happier frrand, 
 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 j the chief retum'd, if ages pad 
 Have led thefe vagrants o'er the wilder'd wade— 
 If human fouls, for focial compact given, 
 Inform their nature with the damp of heaven, ■ 
 Why the dread glooms forever mud they rovt ? 
 And no mild joys their tempered padlons move ? 
 Ages remote and dark thou bring ft to light, 
 When the fird leaders dared the wtrdern flight; 
 On other fhores, in every eadern clime, 
 Since that unletrer'd, diftant tract of time, [plr.ee, 
 V/hat arts have fhone ! what empires found their 
 What golden fceptres fwuy'd the human rare! 
 What guilt and grandeur from their feats been huri'd, 
 And dire divulfions fhook the changing world. 
 Ere Rome's bold eagle clave the affrighted air, 
 Ere Sparta form'd her death-like fons of war, 
 Ere proud Chaldea law her greatnefs rife, 
 Or Memphian columns heaved againd the ikies • 
 
 H 
 
58 B O O K II. 
 
 Thefe tribes have ftray'd beneath the fruitful zone, 
 Their fouls unpoliuYd and their name unknown. 
 The Voice of heaven reply'd ; A fcanty band, 
 In that far age, approach'd the untrodden land. 
 Prolific wilds, with game and fruitage crown'd, 
 Supply'd their wifhes from the uncultured ground. 
 By nature form'd to rove, the reftlefs mind, 
 Of freedom fond, will ramble unconfined, 
 Till all the realm is fuTd, and rival right 
 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, 
 TJieir fields bloom joyous and their walls afcend. 
 Here, to their growing hofts, no bounds arofe, 
 They claim'd no fafeguard, as they fear'd no fees -, 
 
 Round all the land their fcattering fons mud llray, 
 
 Ere arts could rife, or power extend the fway. 
 
 And what a world their mazv wanderings led ! 
 
 What ftreams and wilds in boundlefs order fpread ! 
 
 See the fhores lengthen, fee the waters roll, 
 
 To each far main and each extended pole ! 
 
 Yet circling years the deftined courfe have run, 
 
 The realms are peopled and their arts begun. 
 
 Behold, where that mid region firikes the eyes, 
 
 A few fair cities glitter to the fkies ; 
 
 There move, in eaftern pomp, the fcenes of flate, 
 
 And temples heave, magnificently great. 
 
BOOK II. 59 
 
 The hero look'd ; when from the varying height, 
 Three growing fplendors, rifing on the fight, 
 Flamed like a conftellation : high in view, 
 Afcending near, their opening glories drew ; 
 In equal pomp, beneath their roofs of gold, 
 Three fpiry towns, in blazing pride, unfold. 
 So, led by vifions of the guiding God, 
 The facred Seer, in Patmos' wade who trod, 
 Saw the dim vault of heaven its folds unbend, 
 And gates and fpires and ftreets and domes defcend -, 
 With golden fides, and funs and rainbows crown'd, 
 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 ; 
 The circling wall with iky-built turrets frown'd, 
 And look'd defiance to the realms around ; 
 A glimmering lake, without the walls, retires, [fpires. 
 Inverts the trembling towers and feems a grove of 
 
 Bright, o'er the midft, on columns lifted high, 
 A rifing ftruclure claims a loftier (ley ; 
 O'er the tall gates fublimer arches bend, 
 Courts larger lengthen, bolder walks afcend, 
 Starr'd with fuperior gems, the porches fhine, 
 And fpeak the royal refidence within. 
 
 There, robed in ftate, high on a golden throne, 
 Mid fuppliant kings, dread Montezuma fhone : 
 
6o B O O K II. 
 
 Mild in his eye a tempered grandeur fate, 
 Great feem'd his foul, with confcious power elate 5 
 In afpect open, haughty and fincere, 
 Untamed b ; crofies and unknown to fear, 
 Of fraud incautious, credulous and vain, 
 Enclofed with favourites and of friends unfeen. 
 
 Round the rich throne, with various luftre bright, 
 Gems undiftinguifh'd, call a changing light -, 
 Sapphires and emeralds deck the fplendenc fcene, 
 Sky-tinctures mingling v/ith the vernal green j 
 The ruby's blufh, the amber's flames unfold, 
 And diamonds brighten from the burning gold ; 
 Through all the dome the living blazes blend, 
 AncTcaft their rainbows where the arches bend. 
 Wide round the walls, with mimic action gay, 
 In order ranged, hiftoric figures ftray, 
 And fhow, in Memphian ftyle, with rival grace, 
 Their bcafted chiefs and all their regal race. 
 
 Thro' the full gates, and round each ample ftreet, 
 Unnumber'd throngs, in various concourfe, meet, 
 Ply different toils, new walls and ftru&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 fair provinces, in culture gay, 
 Blefs the fame monarch and enlarge his fway. 
 
 Aimile benignant kindling in his eyes, 
 Oh happy clime ! the exulting hero cries* 
 
B O O K II. 61 
 
 Far in the midland, fafe from foreign foes, 
 
 Thy joys fhall ripen a? thy grandeur grows, 
 
 To future years thy rifing fame extend, 
 
 And fires of nations from thy fons defcend. 
 
 May no gold-thirfty race thy temples tread, 
 
 Nor (lain thy ftreams nor heap thy plains with dead ; 
 
 No Bovadilla fieze the tempting fpoil, 
 
 Ovando dark, or facrilegious Boyle, 
 
 In mimic priefthood grave, or robed in ftate, 
 
 O'erwhelm thy glories in oblivious fate. 
 
 Vain are thy fondefl hopes, the Power reply'd, 
 Thefe rich abodes from ravening hods to hide; 
 Teach harden'd guilt and cruelty to fpare 
 The guardlefs prize, and check the wade of war. 
 Think not the vulture, o'er the field of flain, 
 Where bafe and brave promifcuous ftrow the plain, 
 Where the young hero, in the pride of charms, 
 Pours deeper crimfon o'er his fpotlefs arms, 
 Will pafs the tempting prey, and glut his rage 
 On harder fiefh, and carnage black with age ; 
 O'er all alike he darts his eager eye, 
 Whets the dire beak and hovers down the ficy, 
 From countlefs corfes picks the dainty food, 
 And fcreams and fattens in the pureft blood. 
 So the dire hofts, that trace thy daring way, 
 By gold allured to fail the unfathom'd fea, 
 Power all their aim and avarice all their joy, 
 Seize brighten: realms and happieft tribes deflroy. 
 
62 BOOK II. 
 
 Thine the dread talk, O Cortez, here to Ihow 
 What unknown crimes can heighten human woe, 
 On thefe fair fields the blood of realms to pour, 
 Tread fceptres down and print thy fleps in gore, 
 With gold and carnage fwell thy fatelefs mind, 
 And live and die the blacked of mankind. 
 
 Now fee, from yon fair ifle, his murdering band 
 Stream o'er the wave and mount the fated ftrand $ 
 On the wild fhore behold his fortrefs rife, 
 The fleet in flames afcends the darken'd fides. 
 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, 
 Kings in his chain, and kingdoms for his prey ; 
 While, robed in peace, great Montezuma (lands, 
 And crowns and treafures fparkle in his hands, 
 Proffers the empire, yields the fceptred fway, 
 Bids vafTal'd millions tremble and obey ; 
 And plies the viclor, with inceflant prayer, 
 Thro' ravaged realms the harmlefs race to fpare. 
 But prayers and tears and fceptres plead in vain, 
 Nor threats can move him, nor a world reftrain; 
 While bled religion's proftituted name, 
 And monkifn fury guides the facred flame : 
 O'er fanes and altars, fires unhallow'd bend, 
 Climb o'er the walls and up the towers afcend, 
 Pour, round the lowering fkies, the fmoky flood, 
 And whelm the fields, and quench their rage in blood, 
 
B O O K II. 63 
 
 The hero heard } and, with a heaving figh, 
 Dropp'd the full tear that darted in his eye, 
 Oh haplefs day ! his trembling voice reply'd, 
 That faw my wandering dreamer mount the tide ! 
 Oh ! had the lamp of heaven, to that bold fail, 
 Ne'er mark'd the pafiage nor awaked 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; 
 Down the long tracts of time their glory fhone, 
 Broad as the day and lading as the fun : 
 The growing realms, beneath thy fhield that reft, 
 O haplefs monarch, dill thy power had bled, 
 Enjoy'd the pleafures that furround thy throne, 
 Survey'd thy virtues and fublimed their own. 
 Forgive me, prince ; this impious arm hath led 
 The unfeen dorm that blackens o'er thy head ; 
 Taught the dark fons of {laughter where to roam, 
 To feize thv crown and feai thy nation's doom. 
 Arm, fleepirtg empire, meet the daring band, 
 
 Drive back the terrors, five the finking land 
 
 Yet vain the ft rife ! behold the fweeping flood ! 
 Forgive me nature, and forgive rnc God. 
 
 Thus, ft-m hh heart, while fpcaking forrows roll, 
 The Powvr, reproving, footh'd his tender foul. 
 Father of this new world, thy tears give o'er, 
 Let virtue grieve and Heaven be blamed no more. 
 
64 B O O K It. 
 
 Enough for man, with perfevering mind, 
 To ad his part and drive to blefs his kind ; 
 Enough for thee, o'er thy dark age to rife, 
 With genius warm'd, and favour'd of the ikies. 
 For this my guardian care thy youth infpired, 
 To virtue raifed thee, and with glory fired, 
 Bade in thy plan each diftant world unite, 
 And wing'd thy dreamer for the adventurous flight. 
 
 Nor think no bleiTmgs ihall thy toils attend, 
 Or thefe fell tyrants can defeat their end. 
 Such impious deeds, in Heaven's all-ruling plan, 
 Lead in difguife the nobleft blifs of man. 
 Long have thy race, to narrow fhores confined, 
 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 (hail foar ; the nations catch the flame,. 
 Enlarge their counfels and extend their fame ; 
 While mutual ties the focial joys enhance, 
 And the laft ftage of civil rule advance. 
 
 Tho' impious ruffians fpread their crimes abroad, 
 And o'er thefe empires pour the purple flood -, 
 Tis thus religious rage, its own dire bane, 
 Shall fall at laft, with all its millions flain, 
 And buried gold, drawn bounteous from the mine. 
 Give wings to commerce and the world refine. 
 
 Now to yon fouthern walls extend thy view, 
 Ancl mark the rival feats of rich Peru. 
 
B O O K II. 65 
 
 There Quito's airy plains, exalted high, 
 With lofder temples rife along the Iky ; 
 And elder Cufco's richer roofs unfold, 
 Flame on ll\q day and fhcd their funs of gold* 
 
 Another range, in thefe delightful climes, 
 Spreads a broad theatre for unborn crimes. 
 Another Cortez fiiall the treafures viewj 
 The rage rekindle and the guilt renew ; 
 His treafon, fraud, and every dire decree, 
 O curft Pizarro, (hall revive in thee. 
 
 There reigns a prince, whofe hand the fccptre claims^ 
 Thro' along lineage of imperial names ; 
 Where the brave roll of following Incas trace 
 The diftant father of their realm and race, 
 Immortal Capac. He in you:hful pride, 
 With fair Oella, his illuflrious bride, 
 In virtuous guile, proclaimed their birth bfcgtirij 
 From the pure fplendors of their God, the fun ; 
 With power and dignity a throne to found, 
 Fix the mild fway and fpread their arts around ; 
 Crufh the dire Gods that human victims claim, 
 And point all worfhip to a nobler name j 
 With cheerful rites, the due devotions pay 
 To the bright beam, that gives the changing day. 
 
 On this fair plan, the children of the fides 
 Bade, in the wild, a growing empire rife ; 
 Beneath their hand, and facred to their fame, 
 Role yon fair walls, that meet the folar flame. 
 
 I 
 
66 B O O K II. 
 
 Succeeding fovereigns fpread their bounds afar, 
 By arts of peace and temper'd force of war j 
 Till thefe furrounding realms the fceptre own, 
 And grateful millions hail the genial fun. 
 
 Behold, in yon fair lake, a beauteous ifle, 
 Where fruits and flowers, in rich profufion fmile ; 
 High in the midft a facred temple rife, 
 Seat of the fun, and pillar of the fkies. 
 The roofs of burnifh'd gold, the blazing fpircs 
 Light the glad heavens and lofe their upward fires ; 
 Fix'd in iht flaming front, with living ray, 
 A diamond circlet gives the rival day j 
 In whofe bright face forever looks abroad 
 The radiant image of the beaming God. 
 Round the wide courts, and in the folemn dome, 
 A white-robed train of holy virgins bloom; 
 Their pious hands the facred rites require, 
 To grace the offerings, and preferve the fire. 
 
 On this bled: ifle, with flowery garlands crown'd,- 
 That ancient pair, in charms of youth, were found, 
 Whofe union'd fouls the mighty plan defign'd, 
 To blefs the nations* and reform mankind. 
 
 * Vromthe traditions of Capac and Oella, mentioned by the 
 Spaniih hiflerians, they appear to have been very great and diftin- 
 guifhed characters. About three centuries previous to the discov- 
 ery of that country by the Spaniards, the* natives of Peru were as 
 rude favages as any in America'. They had no fixed habitations, 
 no ideas of permanent property ; they wandered naked like the 
 beafts, and, like them, depended 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, 1a 
 
B O O K II. 67 
 
 The hero heard, and thus the Power befought ; 
 What arts unknown the wonderous bleflings wrought ? 
 What human fkill, in that benighted age, 
 In favage fouls could quell the barbarous rage ? 
 With leagues of peace combine the wide domain ? 
 And teach the virtues in their laws to reign ? 
 
 order to eftabliih a belief of their divinity, in the minds of the peo- 
 ple, were clothed in white garments of cotton ; and declared them- 
 selves defcended from the Sun, who was their father and the God 
 of that country. They affirmed that he was offended at their cruel 
 and perpetual wars, their barbarous modes of worfhip, and their 
 neglecting to make the belt ufe of the blcffings he was constantly 
 bellowing, in fertilizing the earth and producing vegetation ; that 
 he pitied their wretched ftate, and had fent his own children to in- 
 lirucl them, and to eilabliih a number of wife regulations, by which 
 they might be rendered nappy. 
 
 By fome extraordinary method of perfuafion, thefe perfons drew 
 together a number of the favage tribes, laid the foundations of the 
 city of Cufco, and eftablifhed 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 e&ablimed fifteen hundred 
 miles on the coait of the Pacific ocean ; and from that ocean to the 
 mountains of the Andes. During this period, through a fuccefficii 
 of twelve monarchs, the original conftitution, eitabliihed by the nril 
 Inca, remained unaltered ; and was at laft overturned by an acci- 
 dent, which no human wifdom could forefeeor prevent. 
 
 For a more particular clifquifition on the character and inlritu- 
 tions of this great Legislator, the Reader is referred to a diflertation 
 prefixed to the third Bock. 
 
 Mama Oella is faid to have invented many of the domeftic arts, 
 particularly that of making garments of cotton and other vegetable 
 fubilances. 
 
 In the pafTage preceding this reference, I have alluded to moit 
 of the traditions, relating to the manner of their'introducing them - 
 feives, and eftablifhing 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 con- 
 duel:. 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 aSlion the characters, manners and fentirrients of the different 
 tribes of favages, that inhabit the mountains oi South- America. 
 
6S B O O K II. 
 
 Long is their ftory, faid the Power divine > 
 The labours great and glorious the defign -, 
 And tho* to earthly minds, their a&ions red, 
 By years obfeured, in flowery fiction drcft, 
 Yet my glad voice (hall wake their honoured name, 
 And give their virtues to immortal fame. 
 
 Led by his father's wars, in early prime, 
 Young Capac wander r d from a northern clime ; 
 Along thefe fhores, with livelier verdure gay, 
 Thro* fertile vales, the adventurous armies ftray. 
 He law the tribes unnumber'd range tht plain, 
 And rival chiefs, by rage and (laughter, reign ; 
 
 In reviewing this part of my fubjeel:, I have to lament, that fo, 
 extraordinary and meritorious a Poem, as the Araucana of don 
 iUonfo de Ercilla> of the iixteenth century, has never yet appeared 
 in our language. The account given of that work by VoltairS ex- 
 cited my curioiity at an early day ; as I conceived the manners and 
 characters of me mountain fayages of Chile, as defenbed bv that 
 heroic Spaniard, mull have opened a new field of Poetry, rich with 
 uncommon ornaments. 
 
 That elegant and concife fketch of it lately given to the pub- 
 lic by i;lr. Ra} ley, has coine into my hands, iince I have been 
 writing thefe notes, and but a few days previous to the Poem's being 
 put to the prefs. , Yet it gives me reafon to hope, with every 
 friend of literature, that the whole of that great work will ere long 
 efented to the EngliHi Reader by the lame hand. 
 
 It is ufually preiumed, that ev^ry Author mull have read all that 
 have gone leiore him, at leaf!: on iubjects finiilar to what he at- 
 tempts ; yet the Luiiad cf Camocns, a Poem of great merit on the 
 expedition of Gaina, I had fought for in vain in different parts of 
 America, and even lent to Europe without being able to obtain it ; 
 till, a few days finpe, it came to hand in the majeftic and fpirited 
 translation of Mr. Mickle. The extenfive and fublime objects 
 opened to our view in a work which celebrates the difcovery of one 
 part of the globe, may well be thought worthy the contemplation of 
 a writer, who endeavours to trace the confequences or a firr.ilar 
 event in another. Of this I was before fenfible ; but thefe are not 
 the only diiadvantages that an Author, in a new country, and in 
 moderate cireumltances, muft have to encounter. 
 
B O O K II. 69 
 
 He law the fires their dreadful Gcds adore, 
 Their altars flaming with their children's gore ; 
 Yet mark'd their reverence for the Sun, whofe beam 
 Proclaims his bounties and his power fupreme -, 
 Who fails in happier ikies, diffufmg good, 
 Demands no victim and receives no blood. 
 
 In peace returning with his conquering fire, 
 Fair glory's charms his youthful foul infpire s 
 With virtue warm'd, henVd the generous plan, 
 To build his greatnefs on the blifs of man. 
 
 By nature formed to daring deeds of fame, 
 Tall, bold and beauteous rofe his ftately frame; 
 Strong moved his limbs, a mild majeftic grace 
 Beam'd from his eyes and opcn'd in his face j 
 D'er the dark world his mind fuperior fhone, 
 And, foaring, feem'd the femblance of the fun. 
 Now fame's prophetic vifions lift his eyes, 
 And future empires from his labours rife j 
 Yet fofcer fires his daring views controul, 
 Sway the warm wifn and fill the changing foul. 
 Shall the bright genius, kindled from above, 
 Bend to the milder, gentler voice of love 5 
 That bounds his glories, and forbids to part 
 From that calm bower, that held his glowing heart? 
 Or mail the toils, imperial heroes claim, 
 Fire his bold bofom with a patriot flame; ? 
 Bid fceptres wait him on the diilanc fhore ? 
 And bled Oella meet his eyes no more ? 
 
70 B O O K II. 
 
 Retiring penfive, near the wonted fhade, 
 His unfeen fteps approach the beauteous maid. 
 Her raven-locks roll on her heaving bread, 
 And wave luxuriant round her (lender waift, 
 Gay wreaths of flowers her lovely brows adorn, 
 And her white raiment mocks the pride of morn. 
 Her bufy hand fuftains a bending bough, 
 Where woolly clufters fpread their robes offnow, 
 From opening pods, unbinds the fleecy ftore, 
 And culls her labours for the evening bower. 
 Her fprightly foul, by deep invention led, 
 Had found the fkill to turn the twifting thread, 
 To fpread the woof, the fnuttle to command, 
 Till various garments graced her forming hand. 
 Here, while her thoughts with her own Capac rove, 
 O'er former fcenes of innocence and love, 
 Through many a field his fancied dangers fhare, . 
 And wait him glorious from the diftant war; 
 Bleft with the ardent with, her glowing mind 
 A fnowy vefture for the prince defign'd ; 
 She feeks the pureft wool, to web the fleece, 
 The facred emblem of returning peace. 
 Sudden his near approach her bread alarms ; 
 He flew enraptured to her yielding arms, 
 And loft, diffolving in a 'fofter flame, 
 The diftant empire and the fire of fame. 
 At length, retiring o'er the homeward field, 
 Their mutual minds to happy converfe yield, 
 
B O O K II. 71 
 
 O'er various fcenes of blifsful life they ran, 
 When thus the warrior to the fair began. 
 
 Joy of my life, thou know'flmy roving mind, 
 With thefe grim tribes, in dark abodes, confined, 
 With grief hath mark'd what vengeful pafiions fway 
 The bickering bands, and fweep the race away. 
 Where late my diflant fteps the war purfued, 
 The fertile plains grew boundlefs as I view'd ; 
 Increafing nations trod the waving wild, 
 And joyous nature more delightful fmiled. 
 No changing feafons there the flowers deform, 
 No dread volcano, and no mountain ftorm ; 
 Rains ne'er invade, nor livid lightnings play, 
 Nor clouds obfeure the radiant Power of day. 
 But, while the God, in ceafelefs glory bright, 
 Rolls o'er the day and fires his (Tars by night, 
 Unbounded fulnefs flows beneath his reign, 
 Seas yield their treafures, fruits adorn the plain ; 
 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 ; 
 Deflroy the rights of every dreadful Power, 
 W T hofe crimfon altars glow with human gcre ; 
 To laws and mildnefs teach the realms to yield, 
 And nobler fruits to grace the cultured field. 
 
 But great, my charmer, is the talk of fame, 
 The countlefs tribes to temper and to tame. 
 
li B O O K II. 
 
 Full many a fpacious wild my foul mufl: fee, 
 Spread dreary bounds between my joys and me; 
 And yon bright Godhead circle many a year; 
 Each lonely evening number'd with a tear. 
 Long robes of white* my fliouiders mud embrace, 
 To fpeak my lineage ofetherial race; 
 That wondering tribes may tremble, and obey ' 
 The radiant offspring of the Power of day. [creafe, 
 
 And when thro' cultured fields their bowers en- 
 And dreams and plains furvey the works of peace, 
 When thefe glad hands the rod of nations claim,. 
 And happy millions blefs thy Capac's name, 
 Then {hall he feign a journey to the Sun, 
 To bring the partner 01 the peaceful throne ; 
 So fhall defcending kings the line fuflain, 
 And unborn anes bloom beneath their reisn. 
 
 Will then my fair, in that delightful hour, 
 For fake thefe wilds and hail a happier bower ? 
 And now conferring, with approving fmiles, 
 Bid the young warrior tempt the daring toils ? 
 And, fweetly patient, wait rhe Might of days, 
 That crown our labours with immortal praiie ? 
 
 Silent the fair one heard ; her moiflening eye 
 Spoke the full foul, nor could her voice reply ; 
 
 * As the art of fpinning is faid to have been invented by Oella ; 
 it is no improbable fidtion, to fuppofe they nrit afiumed thefe white 
 garments of cotton, as an emblem of the fun ; in order to infpire 
 that reverence for their perfons which was neceflary to their iuccefs ; 
 and that fuch a drefs mould be cpntiriued in the family, as a badge 
 of royalty. 
 
B O O K II. 73 
 
 Till fofter accents footh'd her liftening ear, 
 Oompofed her tumult and allay'd her fear. 
 Think not, enchanting maid, my fteps would part, 
 While filent forrows heave that tender heart : 
 More dear to me are blell Oeila's joys, 
 Than all the lands that bound the bending (ki.es % 
 Nor thou, bright Sun, fhould'ft bribe my foul to reft, 
 And leave one ftruggle 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 the dreadful gloom, 
 And rage and (laughter croud the untimely tomb > 
 No focial joys their wayward paffions prove, 
 Nor peace nor pleaiure treads the favage grove ; 
 Mid thoufand heroes and a thoufand fair, 
 No fond Oella meets her Capac there. 
 Yet, taughx by thee each nobler joy to prize, 
 With fofter charms the virgin race fhall rife, 
 Awake new virtues, every grace improve, 
 And form their minds for happinefs and love. 
 
 Behold, where future years, in pomp, defcend, 
 How worlds and ages on thy voice depend ! 
 And, like the Sun, whofe all-delighting ray 
 O'er thofe mild borders Iheds ftreneft day, 
 Diffufe thy bounties, give my fteps to rove, 
 A few fhort months the noble tafk to prove, 
 And, fwifc return'd from glorious toils, declare 
 What realms fubmiflive wait our foftering care. 
 
 K 
 
74 B O O K IL 
 
 And will my prince, my Capac, borne away, 
 Thro' thofe dark wilds, in quefl of empire, ftray ? 
 Where tygers fierce command the howling wood, 
 And men like tygers thirft for human blood. 
 Think'ft thou no dangerous deed the courfe attends ? 
 Alone, unaided by thy fire and friends ? 
 Even chains and death may meet my rover there, 
 Nor his laft groan could reach (Delia's ear. 
 But chains, nor death, nor groans mall Capac prove. 
 Unknown to her, while fhe has power to rove. 
 Clofe by thy fide where'er thy wanderings ftray, 
 My equal fteps mail meafure all the way j 
 With borrow'd foul each dire event I'll dare, 
 Thy toils to lefTen and thy dangers fhare. 
 
 Command, bled chief, fince virtue bids thee go 
 To rule the realms and banifh human woe, 
 Command thefe hands two fnowy robes to weave, 
 The Sun to mimic and the tribes deceive ; 
 Then let us range, and fpread the peaceful fway, 
 The radiant children of the Power of day. 
 
 The lovely counfel pleafed. The fmiling chief 
 Approved her courage and difpel'd her grief j 
 Then to the diftant bower in hafle they move, 
 Begin their labours and prepare to rove. 
 Soon grow the robes beneath her forming care, 
 And the fond parents wed the noble pair ; 
 But, whelm'd in grief, beheld, the approaching dawn : 
 Their joys all vaniih'd, and their children gone. 
 
BOOK II. 
 
 75 
 
 Nine changing days, thro' fouthern wilds, they ftray'd, 
 Now wrapp'd in glooms, now gleaming thro* the 
 Till the tenth morning, with an orient fmile, [glade, 
 Beheld them blooming in the happy ifle. 
 The toil begins ; to every neighbouring band, 
 They fpeak the meflage and their faith demand ; 
 With various art fuperior powers difplay, 
 To prove their lineage and confirm their fway. 
 The aftonifh'd tribes behold with glad furprize, 
 The Gods defcended from the favouring ikies ; 
 Adore their perfons, robed in mining white, 
 Receive their laws and leave each horrid rite i 
 Build with afiifting toil, the golden throne, 
 And hail and blefs the fceptre of the Sun. 
 
A DISSERTATION 
 
 O* the GENIUS and INSTITUTIONS of 
 
 MANCO CAPAC. 
 
 /ALTHOUGH the original inhabitants of A- 
 mcrica in general deierve to be clafled among the 
 mod unimproved favages that have ever been difco- 
 vered ; yet the Mexican and Peruvian governments 
 exhibit remarkable inftances of order and regularity. 
 In the difference of national character between thefe 
 two empires, we may dilcern the influence of political 
 fy (terns on the human mind ; and infer the import- 
 ance of the tafk which a legiflator undertakes, in at- 
 tempting to reduce a barbarous people under the con- 
 troul of government and laws. The Mexican con- 
 ftitution was formed to render its fubjects brave and 
 powerful ; but, while it fucceeded in this object, it 
 tended to remove them farther from the real bleffings 
 of fociety, than they were, while in the rudefl ftate 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 contrary, the eftablifhments of Manco Capac 
 carry the marks of a mod benevolent and pacific 
 iyftem ; they tended to humanize the world and ren- 
 der his people happy ; while his ideas of the Deity 
 were fo perfect, as to bear a companion with the en- 
 lightened doctrines of Socrates or Plato. 
 
 The moft diftinguifhed characters in hifiory, 
 who have been confidered as legiflators among bar- 
 
7$ A DISSERTATION. 
 
 barous nations, are Mofes, Lycurgus, Solon, Numa, 
 Mahomet and Peter of RufTia. Of thefe, only the 
 two former and the two latter appear really to deferve 
 that character. Solon and Numa pofTeiTcd not the 
 means nor the opportunity of fhewing their talents in 
 the bufinefs of original legiflation. Athens and Rome 
 were considerably advanced in civilization, before thefe 
 characters arofe. The moft they could do was to 
 correct and amend confcitutions already formed. So- 
 Ion, in particular, may be confidered as a wife politi- 
 cian ; but by no means as the founder of a nation. 
 The Athenians were too far advanced in fociety to 
 admit any radical alteration in their form of govern- 
 ment ; if indeed any form can be faid to exift, where 
 every thing is left to the controul of a capricious 
 multitude. The inftitutions of Numa were more ef- 
 fective and durable - 3 his religious ceremonies were, 
 for many ages, the moil powerful check upon the li- 
 centious and turbulent Romans. By inculcating a, 
 remarkable reverence for the Gods, and making it ne- 
 cerTary to confult the Aufpices, when any thing im- 
 portant was to be tranfacted, he rendered the popular 
 fuperftition fubfervient to the views of policy, and 
 ga^e the fen ate a fteady check upon the extravagance 
 of the plebeans. But the constitutions of Rome and 
 Athens, however the fubject of fo much injudicious 
 appiaufe, were never fixed upon any permanent prin- 
 ciples i though the wifdom of fome of their rulers, 
 and the fpirit of liberty that infpired the people, juflly 
 demand our admiration. 
 
 Each of the other legiflators above mentioned de- 
 ferves a particular consideration ; as acting in flations 
 fomewhat fimilar to that of the Peruvian lawgiver. 
 Three objects are to be attended to, by the legiflator 
 of a barbarous people. Firft, that his fyftem be fuch 
 as is capable of reducing the greatelt number of men 
 under one jurifdiction. Secondly, that it apply to fuch 
 
A DISSERTATION, 79 
 
 principles in human nature for its fupport, as are tini- 
 verfal and permanent 5 in order to en iu re theduration 
 of the government. Thirdly, that it admit of im- 
 provements correfpondent to any advancement in 
 knowledge or variation of circumftances, that may 
 happen to its fubjects ; without endangering the prin- 
 ciple of government, by fuch innovations. So far 
 therefore as the fy (terns of thofe legiQators agree with 
 thefe fundamental principles, they are worthy of rei- 
 pect ; and fo far as they deviate, they may be consi- 
 dered as defeclive and imperfect. 
 
 To begin with Moles and Lycurgus ; it is necerTary 
 in the ririt place to obferve, that, in order to judge of 
 the merit of any inftitutions, we mud take into view 
 the peculiar character of the people for whom they 
 were framed. For want of this attention, many of ihe 
 laws of Mofes have been ridiculed by ignorant fcep- 
 tics, and many eftablifnments of Lycurgus cenfured 
 by as ignorant politicians. The Jews, who were led 
 by Moies out of Egypt, were not only uncivilized, 
 but, having juft rifen to independence from a ftai 
 fervitude, they united the manners of fervants and 
 favages ; and their national character is a ccmpofition 
 of fervility and contumacy, ignorance, fupeiitition, 
 filthinefs and cruelty. Of their crueltv as a peopl 
 need no other proof than the account of their avengers 
 of blood, and the readinefs with which the whole con- 
 gregation turned executioners and ftoned to death the 
 devoted offenders. The Leprofy, a diieafe now whol- 
 ly unknown, was undoubtedly produced by their to- 
 tal want of cleanlineis, continued for fuccelTive ger 
 tions. In this view the frequent ablutions, the pecu- 
 liar modes of trial, and many other inftitutions may be 
 wholly vindicated from ridicule, and proved to be not 
 only wife, but even necefTary regulations. 
 
 The Spartan lawgiver has been equally eenfored 
 
8d A DISSERTATION. 
 
 for the toleration of theft and adultery. Among that 
 race. of Barbarians, thefe crimes were too general to 
 admit of total prevention or univerfal punifhment. By 
 veiling all property in the community, inftead of encou- 
 raging theft, he removed the pofiibility of the crime ; 
 and, in a nation where licentioufnefs was generally in- 
 dulged, 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 interefted. 
 
 Those conflitutions of government are beft calcu- 
 lated for immediate energy and duration, which are 
 interwoven with fome religious fyftem. The legifla- 
 tor, who appears in the character of an infpired perfon, 
 renders his political inftitutions facred, and interefts 
 the confcience as well as the judgement in their fup~ 
 port. The Jewifh lawgiver had this advantage over 
 the Spartan. He appeared not in the character ot a 
 mere earthly governor, but as an interpreter ot the 
 divine will. Byinjoininga religious obfervance ot 
 certain rites, he formed his people to habitual obedi- 
 ence ; by directing their cruelty againft the breakers 
 of the laws, he at lead mitigated the rancour of private 
 hatred; by forbidding ufury, and directing that real 
 property fhould return to the original families in the 
 year of Jubilee, he prevented too great an inequality 
 of property ; and by fele&ing a particular tribe, to be 
 the guardians and interpreters of religion, he prevent- 
 ed its myfteries from being the fubjed of profane and 
 vulgar inveftigation. To fecure the permanency of 
 his inftitutions, he prohibited any intercourse with 
 foreigners, by fevere reitridions ; and formed his peo- 
 ple to habits 'and a character diiagreeable to other na- 
 tions; by which means any foreign intercourfe was 
 prevented, from the mutual hatred of both parties. 
 
 To thefe inftitutions the laws of Lycurgus bear a 
 
A DISSERTATION. 81 
 
 moftftriking refemblance. The features of his con- 
 ftitution were fevere and forbidding; it was however 
 calculated to infpire the moft ehthufiaftic love of li- 
 berty and martial honour. In no country was the 
 patriotic paiTion more 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 prohibi- 
 tion of money, commerce and almoft every thing de- 
 ferable to effeminate nations, entirely excluded fo- 
 reigners from Sparta ; and, while it infpired the people 
 with contempt for others, it rendered them agreeable 
 to each other. By thefe means, Lycurgus rendered 
 the nation powerful and warlike; and to infure the 
 duration of his government he endeavoured to intereft 
 theconfeiencesof his people, by the aid of oracles, and 
 the oath he is laid to have exacted from them, to obey 
 his laws till his return ; when he went into a volun- 
 tary and perpetual exile. 
 
 From this view of the Jewifh and Spartan inftitu- 
 tions, applied to the principles above ftated, they ap- 
 pear, in the two fir it articles, considerably imperfect, 
 and in the lad, totally defective. Neither of them 
 was calculated to bring any confiderable territory or 
 number of men under one jurifdiction ; from this cir- 
 cumftance alone, they could not be rendered perma- 
 nent, as they mull be constantly expo fed to their tnore 
 powerful neighbours. But the third object of legis- 
 lation, that of providing for the future rrogrefs of io~ 
 ciety, which, as it regards the happinefs of mankind, 
 is the molt important of the three, was in both inftan- 
 ces entirely neglected. Thefe fy (terns appear to have 
 been formed with an exprefs defign to prevent all fu- 
 ture improvement in knowledge, or enlargement of 
 the human mind ; and to fix thole nations forever in 
 a (late of ignorance, fuperftition and b^rbarilm. To 
 
 L 
 
8a A DISSERTATION, 
 
 vindicate the Spartan from an imputation of weaknefs 
 or inattention in this particular, it may be urged that 
 he was iurrounded by nations more powerful than his 
 own ; it was therefore impoflible for him to com- 
 mence an eftablifhment upon any other plan. And 
 Moles mud be vindicated upon this idea, that the di- 
 vine moral law, which was defigned, at a future peri- 
 od, to regulate and harmonize the whole human race, 
 muft be preferved in that nation, which was to give 
 birth to the Saviour of mankind. If we allow him to 
 have had a prophetic knowledge of thefe events, 
 his inftitutions may be pronounced unexceptionable 
 in every part. 
 
 The inftitutions of Mahomet, are next to be con- 
 fidered. The ftrft object of legiilation appears to 
 have been better underftood by the Arabian Prophet, 
 than by either of the preceding fages 5 his jurifdic- 
 tion was capable of being enlarged to any extent of 
 territory, and governing any number of nations, that 
 might be fubjugated by his powerful and enthufiaftic 
 armies; and to obtain this object his fyftem of reli- 
 gion was admirably calculated. Like Mofes, he con- 
 vinced his people that he acted as the vicegerent of 
 Heaven; but with this capital advantage, adapting 
 his religion to the natural feelings and propenfities ct 
 mankind, he multiplied his followers, by the allure- 
 ments of pleafure and the promife of a fenfual para- 
 dife. Thefe circumftances werelikewifefure to ren- 
 der his conftitution permanent. His religious fyftem 
 was lb eafy to be underftood, fo fplendid and fo invit- 
 ing, there could be no danger that the people would 
 iofe fight of its principles, and no neceflity of future 
 prophets, to explain the doctrines, or reform the na- 
 tion. To thefe advantages if we add the exact and 
 rigid military difcipline, the fplendor and facrednefs 
 of the monarch, and that total ignorance of the people, 
 which fuch a fyftem will produce and perpetuate, the 
 
A DISSERTATION. *$ 
 
 cftablimment mutt be evidently well calculated for 
 extent and duration. But the 1 aft and moil import- 
 antend of government, that of mental improvement 
 and foeiaJ happinefs, was deplorably loft in the infti- 
 tution. And there was probably more learning and 
 real genius in Arabia, in the days of this extraordina- 
 ry character, than can now be found in ail the Turk- 
 ifn dominions. 
 
 On the contrary, the enrerprinng genius of the 
 Ruffian monarch appears to have been wholly bent on 
 the arts of civilization, and the improvementoffocie:y 
 among his fu ejects. Happy in a legal title to a 
 throne which already commanded a prodigious extent 
 of country, he found that the fir it object of govern- 
 ment was already fecured ; and by applying himfelf 
 h great fagacity and perfeverance, to th€ third ob- 
 ject, he w r as lure that the fecond would be a neceifary 
 and invariable coniVqaence. He effected his purpo- 
 fes, important as they were, merely by the introduc- 
 ofthe arts, and the encouragement of pclieer 
 mar.ncrs. The greatnefs of his genius appears not fo 
 mach in his inihtutions, which he copied from other 
 nations, as in the extraordinary meafures he followed 
 to introduce them, the judgement he fhowed in (elect- 
 ing and adapting them to the genius of his fubjecls, 
 and his furprifing afiaduity and fuccefs, by which he 
 railed a lavage people to a dignified rank among Eu- 
 ropean nations. All his plans were for med to encou- 
 rage the future progrefs of focicty ; and their dura- 
 tion was enfured by their obvious value and import- 
 ance. His fucceifors have followed his political mea- 
 fures, with great attention to the fame objects ; and 
 the prefent reigning emprefs has rendered herfelf not 
 unworthy of fo high and honourable a defcent. 
 
 To the genius and operation of the feveral forms 
 o( government above mentioned, we will compare 
 
54 A DISSERTATION. 
 
 that of the Peruvian Lawgiver. It is probable that 
 the lavages of Peru, before the time of Capac, among 
 other objects of adoration, paid homage to the Sun, 
 By availing himfeif of this popular fentiment, lie ap- 
 peared, like Moles and Mahomet, in the character of 
 a divine legiHator, endowed with fupernatural pow- 
 ers. After imprefiing thefe ideas itrongly on the 
 minds of the people, drawing together a number of 
 the tribes and rendering them fubiervient 10 his be- 
 nevolent purpofes, he applied himfeif to forming the 
 outlines of a plan of policy, capable of founding and 
 regulating an extenfive empire ; wifely calculated for 
 perpetual duration ; and exprefsly defigned to im- 
 prove the knowledge, peace and happinefs of a confi- 
 de! able portion of mankind. In the apportionment 
 of the lands, and the afiignment of real property, he 
 invented a mode fomevvhat refembling the Feudal 
 Syfcem of Europe : yet this fyilem was wifely check- 
 ed in its operation, by a law fimilar to that of Moles, 
 which regulated landed poUeilions in the year of Ju- 
 bilee. He divided the lands into three parts; the 
 firfi was confccrated to the ufes of religion, the fe- 
 cond fet apart for the Inca and his family, to enable 
 him to defray the expences of government and to ap- 
 pear in the flyle of a monarch, the third, and much 
 the largeft portion, was allotted to the people; and 
 this allotment was repeated every year, and varied ac- 
 cording to the number and exigencies of each family. 
 
 As the Incan family appeared in the character of 
 Divinities, it was neceilary that a fubordinaticn of 
 ranks mould be eitabliihcd ; in order to render the 
 diftincricn between the monarch and his people more 
 perceptible. With this view he created a band ct 
 Nobles, who were diftingu lined by perfonal and here- 
 ditary honours. Thefe were united to the monarch 
 by the ftrongefr. ties of intcreft; in peace they acted 
 as Judges ; and fuperintended the police of the empire, 
 
A DISSERTATION. 85 
 
 in war they commanded in the armies. The next 
 order of* men were the refpectable peasantry of the 
 country, who compofed the principal ftrength of the 
 nation. Below theie was a clifs of men, who were 
 the fervants of the public -, who cultivated the public 
 lands. They poffeilcd no property, and their only 
 fecurity depended on their regular induftry and peace- 
 able demeanour. Above all thefe orders, were the 
 Inca and his family. He was pofielled of ab- 
 folute and uncontroulable power ; his mandates 
 were regarded as the word of Heaven, and the 
 double guilt of impiety and rebellion attended on 
 difobedience. To imprefs the utmoft veneration 
 for the I'ncan family, it was a fundamental prin- 
 ciple, that the royal blood mould never be contami- 
 nated by any foreign alliance. The myftcries of re- 
 ligion were preierved fkcred by the high prieft of the 
 royal family, under the controul of the king ; and 
 celebrated with rites, capaple of making the deepeft 
 impreiTion on the multitude. The annual diftnbu- 
 tion of the lands, while it provided for the varying 
 circumftances of each family, ftrengthened the bands 
 of fociety, by preventing the different orders from in- 
 terfering with each other ; the peafants could not vie 
 with their fuperiors, and the Nobles could not be 
 fubjecled by misfortune to a fubordinate ftation. A 
 conftant habit of induftry was inculcated upon all 
 ranks by the furprizing force of example and emula- 
 tion. The cultivation of the foil, which in mod other 
 countries is confidered as one of the lowed employ- 
 ments, was here regarded as a divine art. Having 
 had no idea of it before, and being 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 affiit the Sun in opening the bofom of the earth 
 and producing vegetation. That the government 
 might be able to exercife the endearing acts of be- 
 nevolence, the produce of the public lands was re- 
 
86 A DISSERTATION. 
 
 ferved in magazines, to fupply the wants of the un- 
 fortunate, as adepofit for the people in times of gen- 
 eral fcarcity, and as arefource in cafe of an invafion. 
 
 These are the outlines of a government, the moft 
 fimple and energetic conceivable, and capable of re- 
 ducing the greater! number of men under one juris- 
 diction ; at the fame time, accommodating its principle 
 of action to every flate of fociety, and every ft age of 
 improvement, by a lingular and happy application to 
 the paflions of the human mind, it encouraged the ad- 
 vancement of knowledge, without being endangered 
 by fuccefs. That fuch a government has a fair 
 chance for perpetual duration is evident from this 
 confideration, that a band of Nobles are ever the firm 
 Supporters of regal authority 5 unlefs the monarch is 
 fo limited in his power, that the Nobles defpiie his in- 
 fluence. This could not be the cafe in Peru ; the 
 Nobles were juftly proud of their elevated ftation, 
 though they could have no ambition to controul'the 
 Inca. They were fenfible that their intereft was con- 
 nected with that of the monarch ; and, fuppofing the 
 influence of religion to be out of the queflion, they 
 would not attempt to deftroy an inditution on which 
 their happinefs depended. A check equally effective 
 was, by the conftitution of human nature, impofed on 
 the Inca. Elevated above the competition and rival- 
 fhip 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 arbi- 
 trary power. 
 
 In the traits of character which diftinguilh this 
 inftitution, we may difoern all the great ftrokes of 
 each of the legiflators above mentioned. The pre- 
 tentions of Capac to divine authority were as artfully 
 contrived and as effectual in their confequences, as 
 thofe of Mahomet; his exploding the worfhip of evil 
 
A DISSERTATION. 87 
 
 beings and objects of terror, forbidding human facri- 
 feces, inculcating more rational ideas of the Deity, 
 and accommodating the rites of worfhip to a God of 
 juftice 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 fu- 
 ture improvement of ibciety ; while his actions were 
 never meafured upon the fmall and contracted fcale, 
 which limited the genius ofLycurgus. 
 
 Thus far we find the political fyftem of Capac at 
 lead equal to thole of the mod celebrated ancient or 
 modem lawgivers. But in one particular his charac- 
 ter is placed beyond all comparifon ; I mean for his 
 religious inftitutions, and the juft ideas he had formed, 
 by the unenlightened etTorts of human wifdom, of the 
 nature and attributes of the Deity. 
 
 And here I fhall prcmife, that idolatrous nations 
 have never been guilty of thofe glaring abfurdities 
 with which they are ufually charged by the chriftian 
 world. The Pcrfian or Peruvian, when lie directed 
 his adoration to the Sun, confidered it as the place of 
 refidence for the unknown Deity, whom he wor- 
 shipped, and who communicated from thence the 
 bleftings of light, warmth and vegetation ; the Grc 
 who bowed at the ftatue of Jupiter, fuppoied it ani- 
 mated with the prefence of his God ; the Egyptian 
 Apis, Ifis and Orus, the calf, the leek and the onion, 
 though the theme of univerial ridicule to other nations, 
 were, in their firft confecration, like the Jewifh Cheru- 
 bim, fymbolical reprefentations of the nature and attri- 
 butes of their Deities. No man ever erected a (lock 
 or a ilone for a real object of worfhip ; but all igno- 
 rant nations have paid their adoration before the fym- 
 bolof the Deity, in fome fhape or other, and directed 
 their homage to the place of his fuppoied refidence. 
 Even among enlightened nations, we rind many traces 
 
88 A DISSERTATION, 
 
 of the fame ideas ; the Papift bows to the Picture and 
 the Crucifix $ and the Methodift rolls up his eyes in 
 prayer to the Sky. Perhaps unaffifted wifdom can rife 
 no higher ; and the reafon why idol worfhip was forbid- 
 den 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 flop fhort 
 at the intermediate object, and to lofe fight of the orig- 
 inal invifible EfTence. But the great crime of idola- 
 trous nations confuted in their afcribing to the Deity 
 the paiTions and attributes of the Devil, and in the 
 horrid and murtherous rites of their worfhip. Man- 
 kind are more inclined to confider the Deity as a God 
 of vengeance than a God of mercy. Even among 
 christians mo ft perfons afcribe afflictions to the hand 
 of Heaven and profperity to their own merit and 
 prudence. This principle operates in its full effect 
 among favages. They ufually form no idea of a gen- 
 eral fuperintending Providence ; they confider not 
 the Deity as the author of their beings, the Creator of 
 the world and the difpenfer of the hapfnnefs they en-« 
 ioy ; they difcern him not in trie ufuai courfe of nature, 
 in the funfhine and in the mower, the productions of 
 the earth and the bleiTing of fociety ; they find a Dei- 
 ty only in the florin, the earthquake and the whirl- 
 wind ; or afcribe to him the evils of peftilenee and fa- 
 mine -, they confider him as interpofing in wrath to 
 change the courfe of nature, arrd-exercifing the attri- 
 butes of rage and revenge. They adore him witli 
 rites fuited to thefe attributes, with horror, with pe- 
 nance and with facrifice ; they imagine him pleafed 
 with the feverity of their mortifications, with the ob- 
 lations of blood and the cries of human victims ; and 
 hope to compound for greater judgements, by volun- 
 tary Sufferings and horrid facrifices, fuited to the re- 
 liih of his tafte. 
 
 Perhaps no finale criterion can be given, which 
 
A DISSERTATION. 9$ 
 
 will determine more accurately the ftate of fociety 
 in any age or nation, than their general ideas concern- 
 ing the nature and attributes of the Deity. In the 
 moft enlightened periods of antiquity, only a very few 
 of their wife ft Philofophers, a Socrates, a Tully, or a 
 Confucius* ever formed a juft idea on the fubjecl:, or 
 defcribed the Deity as a God of purity, juftice and be- 
 nevolence. Can any thing then be more aftonifhing 
 than to view a favage native of the fouthern wilds of 
 America, rifing in an age, void of every trace of learn- 
 ing or refinement, and acquiring by the mere efforts of 
 reafon, a fubiime and rational idea of the Parent of 
 the univerfe ! 
 
 He taught the nation to connder him as the God 
 of order and regularity ; afcribing to his influence the 
 rotation of the ieafons, the productions of the earth 
 and the bleftings of health ; eipecially attributing to 
 his infpiration the wifdom of their laws and that hap- 
 py conftitution, which was the delight and veneration 
 of the people. 
 
 These humane ideas of religion had a fenfible ope- 
 ration upon the manners of the nation. They neve- 
 began an offenfive war with their favage neighbours ; 
 and, whenever their country was invaded, they made 
 war, not to extirpate, but to civilize. The conquered 
 tribes and thole taken captive were adopted into the 
 nation ; and, by blending with the conquerors, forgot 
 their former rage and ferocity. 
 
 A system h jiift and benevolent, as might be ex- 
 pected, was attended with fucceis. In about three 
 hundred years, the dominions of the Incas had ex- 
 tended fifteen hundred miles in length, and had in- 
 troduced peace and prof erity through the whole re- 
 
 , M ' 
 
90 A DISSERTATION. 
 
 
 gion. The arts of fociety had been carried to a con- 
 iiderable degree of improvement, and the authority of 
 the Iiican race univerfally acknowledged ; when an e- 
 vent happened, that difturbed the tranquility of the 
 empire. Huana Capac, the twelfth monarch, had 
 reduced 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 a difputcd fucceflion 
 to the throne. Atabalipa, the fon of Huana by the 
 heireis of Quito* being in porTclTion of the principal 
 force of the Peruvian armies, which was left at that 
 place on the death of his father, gave batrle 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 destructive civil war, the former was victori- 
 ous ; and thus was that flou ri ih ing and happy king- 
 dom left a prey to civil distentions, and to the few 
 foldiers of Pizarro, who happened at that juncture to 
 make a difcent upon their coaft. Thus he effected an 
 eafy conqueft and an utter destruction of that unfor- 
 tunate 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 institution. It 
 is impoiiible that any original legislator fhould effectu- 
 ally guard againft the folly of a futute fovereign. 
 Capac had not only removed every temptation that 
 could induce a wife prince to wifh for a change in the 
 constitution, but had connected the ruin of his author- 
 ity with the change ; for he, who difregards any part 
 of institutions deemed facred, teaches his people to 
 conficler the whole as an impoSture. Had he made 
 a law ordaining that the Peruvians mould be abfolved 
 from their allegiance to a prince, who fhould violate 
 the laws ; it would evidently have implied pofiible er- 
 ror and imperfection in thofeperlbns whom the people 
 
A DISSERTATION. 91 
 
 vere ordered to regard as Divinities : the reverence 
 3ue to characters who made fuch high pretentions, 
 would have been weakened ; and, inftead of rendeiing 
 :he conftitution perfect, fuch a law would have been 
 ts greateft defect. Betides, it is probable the rupture 
 might have been healed, and the fuccefHon fettled, 
 vith as little difficulty as frequently happens with 
 partial revolutions in other kingdoms ■, had not the de- 
 scent of the Spaniards prevented. And this event to 
 1 man in that age and country, was totally beyond the 
 Doffibihty of human forefight. But viewing the con- 
 :urrence of thefe fatal accidents, which reduced this 
 lourifhing empire to a level with many other ruined 
 md departed kingdoms, it only proves that no human 
 yftem has the privilege to be perfect. 
 
 On the whole, it is evident, that the fyftem of Ca- 
 3ac is the molt furprizing exertion of human genius 
 :o be found in the hiftory of mankind. When we 
 ronfider him as an individual emerging from the midfl 
 }f a barbarous people, having ken no pofiible exam- 
 ple of the operation of laws in any country, originat- 
 ing a plan of religion and policy never equalled by the 
 [ages of antiquity, civilizing an extenfive empire, and 
 rendering religion and government fubfervient to .the 
 general happinefs of mankind, there is no danger that 
 ive grow too warm in his praife, or pronounce too 
 ^ligh an eulogium on his* character. Had fuch a ge- 
 lius appeared in Greece or Rome, he had been the 
 fubject of univarfal admiration ; had he arifen in the 
 favourite land of Turkey, his praifes had filled a 
 :houfand pages in the diffutive writings of Voltaire. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 The aclions of Capac. A general invafion threatened 
 by the mountain fav ages. Rocha> the Incas Son,ferit 
 to offer terms of peace. His embaffy. His adventure 
 with the worjhippers of the Volcano. With thofe of 
 theftorm on the Andes. Falls in with the fav age ar- 
 mies. Characler andfpeech of Zamor, their chief. 
 Sacrifice of Rocha 1 s companions. Death-Jong of A- , 
 zonto. War -dance. March of the fav age armies 
 down the mountains to Peru. Incan army meets 
 them. Battle joins. Peruvians routed by an e- 
 clipfe of the fun. They fly to Cufco. Grief of el- 
 lay fuppqfing the darknefs to be occafioned by the 
 death of her fen Rocha. Sun appears. Peruvian 
 army affembles, and they dif cover Rocha on an altar 
 in the fav age camp. They march in hafte out of the 
 city and engage the favages. Exploits of Capac. 
 Death of Z amor. Recovery of Rocha y and JubmiJ- 
 fion of the enemy. 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK III. 
 
 X\ OW, twice twelve years, the children of the 
 Beheld in peace their growing empire rife; [fkies 
 O'er happy realms, difplay'd their generous care, 
 Diffufed their arts and footh'd the rage of war ; 
 Bade yon tall temple grace the favourite ifle, 
 The gardens bloom, the cultured valleys fmile, 
 The afpiring hills their fpacious mines unfold, 
 Fair ftructures blaze, and altars burn, in gold, 
 Thofe broad foundations bend their arches high, 
 And heave imperial Cufco to the fky \ 
 From that fair ftream that mark'd their northern 
 Where Apurimac leads his lucid way, [fway, 
 
 To yon far glimmering lake, the fouthern bound, 
 The growing tribes their peaceful dwellings found j 
 While wealth and grandeur blefs'd the extended reign, 
 From the bold Andes to the weilern main. 
 
 When, fierce from eaftern wilds, thefavage bands 
 Lead war and (laughter o'er the happy lands ; 
 Thro' fertile fields the paths of culture trace, 
 And vow deftruction to the Incan race. 
 While various fortune ftrow'd the embattled plain, 
 And baffied thoufands ftill the ftrife maintain, 
 
$6 BOOK III. 
 
 The unconquer'd Inca wakes the lingering war, : 
 Drives back their hoft and fpeeds their flight afar j 
 Till, fired with rage, they range the wonted wood, 
 And feafl their fouls on future fcenes of blood. 
 
 Where yon blue fummits hang their cliffs on high, 
 Frown o'er the plains and lengthen round the iky ; 
 Where vales exalted thro* the breaches run, 
 And drink the nearer fplendors of the fun, 
 From fouth to north, the tribes innumerous wind, 
 By hilis of ice and mountain dreams confined ; 
 Roufe neighbouring hods, and meditate the blow; 
 To blend their force and whelm the world below.- 
 Capac, with caution, views the dark defign, 
 From countlefs wilds what hodile myriads join -, 
 And greatly drives to bid the difcord ceafe, 
 By prorTer'd compacts of perpetual peace. 
 
 His elded hope, young Rocha, at his call, 
 
 Leaves the deep confines of the temple wall y 
 
 In whofe fair form, in lucid garments dred, 
 
 Began the facred function of the pried. 
 
 In early yourh, ere yet the genial fun 
 
 Had twice fix changes o'er his childhood run, 
 
 Tn>? blooming prince, beneath his parents' hand, 
 
 Learn'u all the laws that fway'd the facred land -, 
 
 Witu rites myderious* ferved the Power divine, 
 
 Prepared the altar and adorn'd the fhrine, 
 
 * The high priwft of the Sun was always one of the royal family ; 
 
 and in every generation after the nrit, was brother to the king. 
 
 Thi's office probably began with Rocha, as he was the firft who was 
 
 capable of receiving it, and as it was ncceflary, m the education of 
 
 the prince, that he lhculd bs initiated m the facred myftenes. 
 
BOOK III. 97 
 
 Refpoiifive hail'd, with ftill returning praife, 
 Each circling feafon that the God difplays, 
 Sooth'd with funereal hymns the parting dead, 
 At nuptial feafts the joyful chorus led ; 
 While evening iticenfe and the morning fong 
 Rofe from his hand or trembled en his tongue. 
 
 Thus, fbrm'd for empire, ere he gain'd thefwayj 
 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 j 
 Infpired for active fcenes he quits the fhrine, 
 To aid the council or in arms to mine. 
 
 Where the mild monarch courtly throngs enclofe. 
 Sublime in modeft majefty he rofe, 
 With reverence bow'd, confpicuous o'er the red, 
 Approach'd the throne and thus the fire addrefs d : 
 Great king of nations, heaven- descended Faj 
 Guard of my youth and glory of my a 
 Thefe pontiff robes, to my bleft brother's hand 
 Glad I refign, and wait thy kind comma 
 Should war invade, permit thy fori to -wield 
 The (haft of vengeance through the uritempted i 
 Led by thy powerful arm, my foul mall brave 
 The haughtiefl: (oc y or find a glorious grave ; 
 While our bold ranks a nobler toil demand, 
 In one dread field overwhelm the brutal band, 
 
 N 
 
9* BOOK 1IL 
 
 Pour to the mountain gods their wonted food, 
 And fhield thy realms from future fcenes of blood. 
 Yet oh, may fovereign mercy fifft 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 race to bow beneath thy fway, 
 And tafte the blefTings of the Power of day. 
 
 The fire return'd ; My earlieft wifh you know,. 
 To ihitld from (laughter and preferve the foe, 
 In bands of mutual peace all tribes to bind, 
 And live the friend and guardian of mankind. 
 Should flrife begin, thy youthful arm fhall fhare, ; 
 The toils of glory through the walks of war ; 
 But o'er thofe hideous hills,, thro' climes of fhow, 
 With reafon's voice to lure the favage foe, 
 To Tcape their fhares, their jarring fouls combine, 
 Claims hardier limbs and riper years than thine. 
 Yet one of heavenly race the talk requires, 
 Whofe myftic rites controul the etherial fires ; 
 So the footh/d Godhead proves to faithlefs eyes, 
 His fway on earth and empire of the Ikies. 
 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 infidious train, 
 Through all extremes of life thy voice attend. 
 In counfel lead thee or in arms defend* 
 
BOOK III. 99 
 
 "While three firm youths, thy chofen friends, fliall 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. 
 Rife then, my for., bright partner of my fame. 
 With early toils to build thy facred name -, 
 In high beheft, thefe heavenly tidings bear, 
 To blefs mankind and ward the wafle of war. 
 To thofedark hofts, where fhivering mountains run, 
 Proclaim the bounties of our fire the Sun. 
 On thefe fair plains, beneath his happier fkies, 
 Tell how his fruits in boundlefs plenty rife - y 
 How the bright Power, whofe all delighting foul 
 Taught round the courts of heaven his fiars to roll, 
 To all his earth-born fons hath kindly given 
 His noblefi laws the favourite grace of heaven ; 
 Bids every tribe the fame glad laws attend, 
 His realms to widen and his fanes defend, 
 Confefs and emulate his bounteous fway, 
 And give his blefiings where he gives the day. 
 Yet, fhould the gathering legions flill prepare 
 The maft of (laughter for the barbarous war, 
 Tell them we know to tread the ci imfon plain, 
 And heaven's bright children never yield to man. 
 
 But oh,. my child, with fteps of caution go, 
 The ways are hideous and enraged the foe ; 
 Blood ftains their altars, all their feafts are blood, 
 Death their delight and Darknefs reigns their God -, 
 
ioo BOOK III. 
 
 T vgers and vultures, ftorms and earthquakes fhare 
 Their rices ofworfhip 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 breaft, 
 The pale fun fink in clouds of darknefs dreft, 
 Thy fire and haplefs nations rue the day, 
 That drew thy fieps from thefe fad walls away. 
 
 Yet go ; 'tis virtue calls ; and realms unknown, 
 By thefe long toils, may blefs thy future throne j 
 Millions of unborn fouls in time may fee 
 Their doom reverfed, and owe their joys to thee; 
 While favage fires, with murdering hands, no more 
 Dread the grim Gods that claim their children's gore. 
 But, fway'd by happier fceptres, here behold 
 The rites of freedom and the fhrines of gold. 
 Be wife, be mindful of thy realm and throne ; 
 Heaven fpeed the labours, and preferve my fon. 
 
 Soon the glad prince, in robes of white array'd, 
 
 Call'd h's attendants, and the fire obey'd. 
 
 A diamond broad, in burning gold imprefr, 
 
 Fix'd the Sun's im^ge on his royal bread; 
 
 Fair in his hand appear'd the olive bough, 
 
 And the white lautu* graced his beauteous brow. 
 
 Swift o'er the hills that lift the walks of day, 
 
 Thro' parting clouds he took his eaftern way ; 
 
 * The lautu was a cotton fringe, worn by the Incas, as a badge 
 of royalty. 
 
BOOK III. 101 
 
 Height over height hegain'd, beyond the bound, 
 Where the wide empire claims its utmoft round ; 
 To numerous tribes proclaimed the folar fway, 
 And held, through various toils, his wilder'd way. 
 
 At length, far diftant, thro' the darkening fides, 
 Where hills o'er hills in rude diforder rife, 
 A dreadful groan, beneath the fhuddering ground, 
 Rolls down the fteeps and makes the world around. 
 Columns of reddening fmoke, above the height, 
 O'ercaft the heavens and cloud their wonted light j 
 From tottering tops defcend the cliffs of fnow, 
 The mountains reel, the valleys rend below, 
 The headlong dreams forget their ufual round, 
 And fhrink and vanifh in the gaping ground ; 
 The fun defcends — Wide flames with livid glare 
 Break the red cloud and purple all the air ; 
 Above the gaping top, wild cinders, driven, 
 Scream 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; 
 Torrents of molten rocks, on every fide, 
 Lead o'er the fhelves of ice the fiery tide - 3 
 Hills Aide before them, fkies around them burn, 
 Towns fink beneath, and heaving plains o'erturn; 
 O'er diftant realms, the flaming deluge, hurl'd, 
 Sweeps trembling nations from the aftonifh'd world. 
 
 Meanwhile, at diftance, through the livid light, 
 A bufy concourfe met his wondering fight ; 
 

 ioi BOOK III. 
 
 The prince drew near ; an altar raifed he viewed, 
 In form a furnace, fill'd with burning wood ; 
 There a fair youth in pangs expiring lay, 
 And the fond father thus was heard to pray. 
 
 *Receive, O dreadful Power, from feeble age, 
 This laft pure offering to thy fatelefs rage, 
 Thrice has thy vengeance, on this hated land, 
 Claim'd a dear infant from mv yielding hand -, 
 Thrice have thofe lovely lips the victim prefs'd, 
 And all the mother torn that tender bread ; 
 When the dread duty ftifled every figh, 
 And not a tear efcaped her beauteous eye. 
 The fourth, and lad", now meets the fatal doom, 
 (Groan not, my child, thy God commands thee home) 
 Attend^ once more, thou dark, infernal Name, 
 From yon far-dreaming pyramid of flame ; 
 Snatch, from the heaving flefh, the expiring breath," 
 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 the hnbowel'd flames to pour, 
 And fcourge my people and my race no more. 
 
 Thus Rocha heard ; and, tow'rd the trembling croud, 
 Turn'd the bright enfign of his beaming God. 
 
 * It is a faft, that the different tribes of thofe mountain fayages 
 worfhipped the various obj e&s of terror that infefted the particular 
 parts of the country where they dwelt ; fuch as ftorms, volcanoes, 
 rivers, lakes ; and feveral beafts and birds of prey ; and all with 
 this idea, that their forefathers -defcended from the gods which they 
 worfhipped, 
 
BOOK III. 103 
 
 The afflidted chief, with fear and grief oppreft, 
 Beheld the fign and thus the prince addrefs'd. 
 From what far land, O royal ilranger, fay, 
 Afcend thy wandering fteps this nightly way ? 
 Com'flthou from plains like ours, with cinders fired? 
 And have thy people in the flames expired ? 
 Or haft thou now, to flay the whelming flood, 
 No fon to offer to the furious Gcd ? 
 
 From happier lands I came, the prince return 'd, 
 Where no red vengeance e'er the concave burn'd j 
 No furious God difturbs the peaceful fkies, 
 Nor yield our hands the bloody facrifice. 
 But life and joy the Power delights to give, 
 And bids his children but rejoice and live. 
 Thou feed o'er heaven the all-delighting Sun, 
 In living radiance, rear his golden throne ; 
 O'er plains and valleys fhed his genial beams, 
 Call from yon cliffs of ice the winding ftreams ; 
 While fruits and flowers adorn the indulgent field, 
 And feas and lakes their copious treafures ) ield ; 
 He reigns our only God ; in him we trace 
 The friend, the father of our happy race. 
 Late the lone tribes, on thofe delightful friores, 
 With gloomy reverence ferved imagin'd Powers ; 
 Till he, in pity to the roving race, [peace. 
 
 Difpenfed their laws, and form'd their minds for 
 My heaven-born parents firft the reign began, 
 Sent from his courts to rule the race of -man, 
 
io 4 BOOK III. 
 
 Unfold his arts, extend his bounteous fway, 
 And give his blefiings where he gives the day. 
 
 The wondering chief reply'd -, thy form and drefs 
 Proclaim thy lineage of fuperior race ; 
 And our far-diftant fires, no lefs than thine, 
 Sprang from a God, and own a birth divine. 
 From that etherial mount, the fource of fiame, 
 In elder times, the great avengers came -, 
 Where the dread Power conceals his dark abode, 
 And claims, as now, the tribute of a God. 
 This victim due when willing mortals pay, 
 His terrors leiTen and his fires decay ; 
 While purer fleet regales the untainted air, 
 And our glad hofts are fired for fiercer war. 
 
 Yet know, dread chief, the pious youth rejoin'd, 
 One fovereign Power produced all human kind ; 
 Some Sire fuprerne, whole ever-ruling foul 
 Creates, preierves, and regulates the whole. 
 That Sire fupreme mull lift his radiant eye 
 Round the wide concave of the boundlefs fky ; 
 That heaven'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 nood, 
 Yield the glad fruits that diftant nations find ? 
 Or praife, or punifh, or behold mankind ? 
 When the bleft God, from glooms of changing night 
 Shall gild his chambers with the morning light, 
 
BOOK III. 105 
 
 By myftic rites he'll vindicate his throne, 
 And own thy fervant for his duteous Ton. 
 
 Meantime, the chief reply'd, thy cares releafed, 
 Share the poor relics of our fcanty feaft - y 
 Which, driven in hady rout, our train fupply'd, 
 When trembling earth proclaim'd the boiling tide. 
 They fared, they reded j till approaching morn 
 Beheld the day-liar o'er the mountain burn ; 
 The rifing prince an altar rear'd on high, 
 And watch'd the fplendors of the orient fky. 
 
 When o'er the mountain flamed the fun's broad ray, 
 He call'd the hod his f acred rites t' eflay ; 
 Then took the loaves of maize, the bounties brake, 
 Gave to the chief and bade them all partake •, 
 The hallowed relics on the pile he placed, 
 With tufts of flowers the fimple offering graced, 
 Held to the fun the image from his bread, 
 Whofe glowing concave all the God expred ; 
 O'er the dry'd leaves, the trembling luftre flies, 
 And thus his voice afcends the lidening fkies. 
 
 O thou, whofe fplendors kindle heaven with fire, 
 Great foul of nature, and the world's dread fire, 
 If e'er my father found thy fovereign grace, 
 Or thy bled will ordain'd the Incan race, 
 Give thefe lone tribes to learn thine awful name, 
 Receive this offering and the pile inflame : 
 So {hall thy laws o'er thefe wide bounds be known, 
 And earth's unnumber'd fons be happy as thine own. 
 
 O 
 
io6 BOOK III. 
 
 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 genial Sun. 
 
 The Inca now his farther courfe defcry'd., 
 A young cazique attending as a guide, 
 O'er eaftern cliffs purfued the wilder'd way, 
 Where loftier champaigns meet the Ihivering day ; 
 Saw timorous tribes in thefe fublime abodes, 
 Adore the biafls and turn the ftorms to Gods. 
 Each blackening cloud, that thunders thro* the Ikies,, 
 Claims from their hands a human facrifice. 
 A while the youth, their better faith to gain, 
 Strives, with his ufual art, but Arrives in vain; 
 In vain he pleads the mildnefs of the fun, 
 In thofe cold bounds where chilling whirlwinds run > 
 Where the dark tempefts fweep the world below, 
 And load the mountains with eternal fnow. 
 The fun's bright beam, the fearful tribes declare, 
 Drives all their evils on the tortured air ; 
 He draws the vapors up the eaftern fky, 
 That fail and centre tow'rd his dazzling eye -, 
 Leads the loud ftorms along his midday courfe, 
 And bids the Andes meet their fweeping force ; 
 Builds their bleak fummits, with an icy throne, 
 To fhine through heaven a femblance of his own ; 
 Hence the dire chills, the lifted lawns that wait, 
 And all the fcourges that attend their ftate* 
 
BOOK III. C07 
 
 Seven toilfome days, the virtuous legate drove, 
 
 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 obfcured the rifing day. 
 
 Broad Amazonia, with her ftar-like ftreams, 
 
 In azure dreft, a heaven inverted feems; 
 
 Dim Paraguay extends the aching fight ; 
 
 *Xaraya glimmers, like the moon of night ; 
 
 The earth and fkies, in blending borders, ftray, 
 
 And fmile and brighten to the lamp of day. 
 
 When thus the prince ; What majefty divine ! 
 
 What robes of gold ! what flames around him mine ! 
 
 There walks the God ! his (tarry fons on high 
 
 Draw their dim veil, and fhrink behind the iky ; 
 
 Earth with furrounding nature 's born anew, 
 
 And tribes and empires greet the gladdening view. 
 
 Who can behold his all-delighting foul 
 
 Give life and joy, and heaven and earth controul ? 
 
 Bid death and darknefs from his prefence move — 
 
 Who can behold, and not adore and love ? 
 
 Thofe plains, immenfely circling feel his beams, 
 
 He greens the groves, he filvers o'er the ft reams, 
 
 Swells the wild fruitage, gives the beaft his food, 
 
 And mute creation hails the genial God. 
 
 * Xaraya is a large lake in the country of Paraguay ; and is the 
 fource of the river Paraguay. 
 
.io8 BOOK III. 
 
 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 ; 
 Such our diftinguifh'd lot, who own his fway, 
 Mild as his morning ftars, and liberal as the day. 
 
 His unknown laws, the mountain chief reply 'd, 
 In your far world, your boafted race may guide ; 
 And yon low plains, that drink his genial ray, 
 At his glad fhrine their juft devotions pay. 
 But we, nor fear his frown, nor truft his fmile ; 
 He blafts our forefts and o'erturns our toil ; 
 Our bowers are bury'd in his whirls of fnow, 
 Or fwept and driven to fhade his tribes below. 
 Even now his mounting fleps thy hopes beguile -, 
 He lures thy raptures with a morning fmile - 3 
 But foon (for fo thofe faffron robes proclaim) 
 Black florms mail fail beneath his leading flame, 
 Thunders and blafts, againft the mountain driven, 
 Shall make the tottering tops & rend the vault of heaven 
 
 He fpoke ; they waited, till the afcending ray, 
 High from the noon-tide, fhot the faithlefs day ; 
 When, lo ! far-gathering, round the eaftern ikies, 
 Solemn, and flow, the dark-red vapors rife ; 
 Full clouds, convolving on the turbid air, 
 Move, like an ocean to the watery war. 
 The hod, fecurely raifed, no dangers harm, 
 fhey fit unclouded, and o'er-Iook the ftorm - 3 
 
BOOK III. 109 
 
 While, far beneath, the fky-borne waters ride, 
 O'er the dark deep and up the mountain's fide ; 
 The lightning's glancing wings, in fury curl'd, 
 Bend their long forky terrors o'er the world ; 
 Torrents and broken craggs, and floods of rain, 
 From fteep to deep, roll down their force amain, 
 In dreadful cataracts ; the craming found [ground. 
 Fills the wide heavens and rocks the fmouldering 
 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 ; 
 High rolls the dorm, the circling furges rife, 
 And wild gyrations wheel the hovering fides ; 
 Vaft hills of fnow, in fweeping columns driven, 
 Deluge the air and cloud the face of heaven ; 
 Floods burft their chains, the rocks forget their place, 
 And the firm mountain trembles to its bafe. 
 
 Long gazed the hoft; when thus the ftubborn chief, 
 With eyes on fire, and fill'd with fullen grief, 
 Behold thy carelefs God, fccurely high, 
 Laughs at our woes, and fails the heavens in joy ; 
 Drives all his evils on thefe feats fublime, 
 And wafts his favours to a happier clime : 
 Sire of that peaceful race, thy words difclofe, 
 There glads his children, here afflicts his foes. 
 Hence ! fpeed thy courfe ! purfue him where he leads; 
 Left vengeance feize thee for thy father's deeds, 
 
**© BOOK III, 
 
 Thy immolated limbs aiTwage 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 weftern plain, 
 •The fading orb with plaintiye voice he plies, 
 To guide his fteps and light him down the fkies; 
 So, when the moon and all the hoftof even, 
 Hang, pale and trembling, on the verge of heaven, 
 While ftorms, afcending, threat their nightly reign, 
 They feek their abfent fire, and fettle down the main, 
 
 Now, to the fouth, he turns his tedious way, 
 Where tribes unnumber'd on the mountains ftray ; 
 And finds, collecting, in a central plain, 
 From all the hills, a wide-extended train. 
 Of various drefs and various form they fhow'd ; 
 Each wore theenfio;n of his local God. 
 From eaftern fteeps, a grifly hofl defcends, 
 O'er whofe grim chief a tyger's hide depends : 
 The tufky jaws grin o'er his fhaggy brow, 
 The eye-balls glare, the paws depend below ; 
 From his bored ears contorted ferpents hung, 
 And drops of gore feem'd rolling on his tongue. 
 
 From northern wilds, dark move the vulture-race j 
 Black tufts of quills their fhaded foreheads grace ^ 
 The claws extend, the beak is oped for blood, 
 And all the armour imitates the God. 
 The *condor, frowning, from a fouthern plain, 
 Borne on a ftandard, leads a numerous train : 
 
 * The Condor is fuppofed to be the largeft bird in the world. 
 His wings, from one extreme to the other, are faid to meafure twen- 
 ty-four feet j and he is able to carry a man in his clutches. 
 
BOOK III. iii 
 
 Clench'd in his talons, hangs a warrior dead, 
 His long beak pointing where the fquadrons tread ; 
 His wings, far-ftretching, cleave the whittling wind., 
 And his broad tail o'erihades the hoft behind. 
 
 From other plains, and other hills, afar. 
 The afifembling tribes throng dreadful to the war; 
 Some wear the crefted furies of the fnake, 
 Some fhow the emblems of a ftream or lake ; 
 All, from the Power they ferve, aflame 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. 
 Sudden the favage bands to vengeance move, 
 Demand their arms and chace them round the grove j 
 His fcattering hoft in vain the combat tries, 
 While circling thoufands from their ambufh rife ; 
 Nor power to drive, nor hope of flight remains, 
 They bow in filencc to the victor's chains. 
 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, 
 And, grimly frowning, thus the croud addrefs'd : 
 
 Warriors, attend ; tomorrow leads abroad 
 Our facred vengeance for our brothers' hlood. 
 On thofe fcorch'd plains forever murr. they lie, 
 Their bones {till naked to the burning fky I 
 
ii2 BOOK IIL 
 
 Left in the field for foreign hawks to tear, 
 Nor our own vultures can the banquet fhare. 
 But foon, ye mountain Gods, yon dreary well 
 Shall fate your vengeance with a nobler feaft; 
 When the proud Sun, that terror of the plain, 
 Shall grieve in heaven for all his children (lain ; 
 O'er boundlefs fields our flaughtering myriads roam,, 
 And your dark Powers command a happier home. 
 Mean while, ye tribes, thefe men of folar race, 
 Food for the flames, your bloody rites fhall grace : 
 Each to a different God, his panting breath 
 Refigns in fire ; this night demands their death ; 
 All but the Inca j him, referved in ftate, 
 Thefe conquering hands ere long fhall immolate, 
 To that dread Power that thunders in the fkies, 
 A grateful gift, before his mother's eyes, 
 
 The favage ceafed ; the chiefs of every race 
 Lead the bold captives to their deflined place; 
 The fun defcends, the parting day expires, 
 And earth and heaven difplay their fparkling fires. 
 Soon the raifed altars kindle round the gloom, 
 And call the viclims to the vengeful doom ; 
 L^d to thefcene, in fovereign pomp they tread, 
 And /ing, by turns, the triumphs of the dead. 
 Amid the croud, befide his altar, flood 
 The youth devoted to the tyger-God. 
 A beauteous form he rofe, of princely grace, 
 The only hope of his illuftrious race 5 
 
BOOK III. 113 
 
 His aged fire, through numerous years, had fhone, 
 The firft fupporter of the Incan throne j 
 Wife Capac loved the youth, and graced his hand 
 With a fair virgin, from a neighbouring band; 
 And him the joyous prince* in equal prime, 
 Had chofe t' attend him round the lavage clime. 
 He mounts the pyre ; the flames approach his breath , 
 And thus he wakes the canticle of death. 
 O thou dark vault of heaven ! his daily throne, 
 Where flee the abfent glories of the Sun ? 
 Ye ftarry hods, that kindle from his eye, 
 Can you behold him in the weftern fky ? 
 Or if, unfeen, he reds his radiant head, 
 Beneath the confines of his watery bed, 
 When next his morning Heps your courts inflame, 
 And fcek on earth for young Azonto's name, 
 Then point thefe afhes, mark the fmoky pile, 
 And fay the hero fuffer'd with a fmile. 
 So fhall the avenging Power, in fury dreft, 
 Bind the red circlet o'er his changing veft, 
 Bid dire deflruclion, on thefe dark abodes, 
 Whelm the grim tribes and all their favage Gods? 
 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'ft thou ne'er be told, my anxious fair, 
 What rending pangs thefe panting vitals tear -, 
 
 P 
 
H4 BOOK III. 
 
 But. blooming ftillj the impatient wifh employ 
 On the blind hope of future fcenes of joy. 
 Now hafte, ye ftrides of death, the Power of day , 
 In abfent (lumbers, gives your vengeance way ; 
 While fainter light thefe livid flames fupply, 
 And fhort-lived thoufands learn of me to die. 
 
 He ceafed not fpeaking ; when the yell of war 
 Drowns all their death-fongs in a hideous jar ; 
 .Round the far echoing hills the yellings pour, 
 And wolves and tygers catch the diftant roar. 
 Now more concordant all their voices join, 
 And round the plain they form the lengthening line ; 
 When, to the mufic of the difmal din, 
 Indignant Zamor bids the dance begin. 
 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 (tarry plain, 
 The fnades of heaven lead on their broken train -, 
 The mingling tribes their mazy circles tread, 
 Till the laft groan proclaims the victims dead ; 
 Then part the fmoky Belli, enjoy the feaft, 
 And lofe their labours in oblivious reft. 
 
 Now, when the weftern hills proclaimed the morn, 
 And falling fires were fcarcely ken to burn, 
 Grimm'd by the horrors of the dreadful night, 
 The hofts woke fiercer for the diftant fight -, 
 And, dark and filent, like a fhadowy grove, 
 The different tribes beneath their ftandards move, 
 
BOOK IIL |C|j 
 
 But round the blifsful city of the fun, 
 Since the young prince his foreign toils begun, 
 The prudent king collected, from afar, 
 His numerous hofts to meet the expected war. 
 The various tribes, in one extended train, 
 Move to the confines of an eaftern plain ; 
 Where, from the exalted kingdom's utmoft end, 
 Sublimer hills and favage walks afcend. 
 High in the front, imperial Capac ftrode, 
 In fair effulgence like the beaming God $ 
 A golden girdle bound his fp.owy veft, 
 A mimic Sun hung trembling on his breafr, 
 The lautu's circling band his temples twined, 
 The bow, the quiver ihade his waift behind j 
 Raifed high in air, his golden fceptre burn'd. 
 And hofts furrounding trembled asheturn'd. 
 
 O'er eaftern hills he caft his kindling eye, 
 Where opening 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, 
 Show the dark fquadrons moving into fight ; 
 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 dopes, convolving to the fea ; 
 They boil, they bend, they urge their force amain, 
 I Swell o'er th' obftructingcraggs and fweep thediftant 
 
 [plain. 
 
16 BOOK III. 
 
 Capac beholds, and waits the coming lHock, 
 Unmoved, and gleaming like an icy rock ; 
 And while for fight the arming hofts prepare, 
 Thus thro' the files he breathes the foul of war. 
 Ye hofts, of every tribe and every plain, 
 That live and flourifri in my father's reign, 
 Long have your flocks and ripening harvefts fhown 
 The genial fmiles of his indulgent throne ; 
 As o'er furrounding realms his bleflings flow'd, 
 And conquer'd all without the Main of blood. 
 But now, behold yon wide-collecting band, 
 With threatening war, demands the happy land : 
 Beneath the dark, immeafurable hoft, 
 Defcending, fwarming, how the craggs are loft ! 
 Already now, their ravening eyes behold 
 Your ftar-bright temples and your gates of gold ; 
 And to their Gods in fancied goblets pour, 
 The warm libation of your children's gore. 
 Move then to vengeance, meet the whelming flood, 
 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 hofts, in fquared array. 
 Eye the dark legions and demand the affray ^ 
 Their pointed arrows, rifing on the bow, 
 Look up the iky and chide the lagging foe. 
 
 Fierce Zamor, frowning, leads the grifly train, 
 Moves from the clefts, and ftretches o'er the plain < 
 
 
BOOK III. 117 
 
 He gives the fhriek ; 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 clafhing war. 
 But firm, undaunted, as a fhelvy ftrand, 
 That meets the billowy furge, the fquadrons (land -, 
 Bend the broad bow, in lengthier circuit fpread, 
 And fhowers of arrows thicken heaven with fhade. 
 When each grim hod, in clofer conflict join'd, 
 Clench the dire ax, and cad the bow behind ; 
 Thro' broken ranks lweep wide the rapid courfe, 
 Now druggie 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, fcattering o'er the field, in thin array, 
 Man drives with man, and dones with axes play; 
 With broken fhafts they follow arid they fly, 
 And yells and groans and fhouts invade the fky ; 
 Round all the plains and groves, the ground is drow'd 
 With fever'd limbs and corfes bathed in blood. 
 I^ong raged the drife ; 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 collected might, 
 With one wide fweep had wing'd the favage flight ; 
 But heaven's bright Splendor in his midday race, 
 With glooms unufual, veil'd his radiant face. 
 
US BOOK III. 
 
 By flow degrees a folemn twilight moves, [groves. 
 Browns the dim heavens and ihades the confcious 
 The obferving Inca views, with wild furprife, 
 Deep glooms on earth, no cloud around the Ikies ; 
 His hoft o'erfhaded in the field of blood, 
 Gored by his foes, deferted by his God. 
 All mute with wonder, ceafe the ftrife to wage, 
 Gaze at each-other, and forget their rage , 
 When pious Capac, to the liftening croud, 
 Raifed high his wand and pour'd his voice aloud ; 
 Ye chiefs and warriors of Peruvian race, 
 Some dire offence obfeures my father's face ; 
 What moves the Godhead to defert the plain, 
 Nor fave his children, nor beholdjhem (lain ? 
 Fly ! fpeed your courfe, and feek the diftant town, 
 Ere darknefs fhroud you in a deeper frown j 
 The lengthening walls your fquadrons fhall defend. 
 While my fad fteps the facred dome afcend ; 
 There learn the caufe, and ward the woes we fear — ■ 
 Hafte, hafte, my fons, I guard the flying rear. 
 The hero fpoke ; the trembling tribes obey, 
 While deeper glooms obfeure the fource of day. 
 Sudden, the favage bands colled amain, 
 Hang on the rear and fweep them o'er the plain -, 
 Their fliouts, redoubling o'er the flying war. 
 Drown the loud groans and torture all the air ; 
 The hawks of heaven, that o'er the field hacl flood. 
 Scared by the tumult from the fcent of blood, 
 
BOOK III. 119 
 
 Cleave the far gloom ; the beads forget their prey, 
 And fcour the wafte, and give the war its way. 
 
 Zamor, elate with horrid joy, beheld 
 The Sun depart, his children fly the field, 
 And raifed his rending voice ; Thou darkening fky, 
 Deepen thy glooms, the Power of death is nigh ; 
 Behold him rifing from his nightly throne, 
 To veil the heavens and drive the conquer'd Sun ! 
 The glaring Godhead yields to facred Night j 
 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 fhall roll in fire, 
 And all his race accumulate the pyre. 
 Ye mountain vultures, here your vengeance pour, 
 Tygers and condors, all ye Gods of gore, 
 In thefe dread fields, beneath your frowning fky, 
 Ji plenteous feaft fhall every God fupply. 
 Rufh forward, warriors, hide the plains with dead ; 
 'Twas here our friends, in former combat, bled ; 
 Strow'd thro' the wade, their bloody bones demand 
 This fweeping vengeance from our conquering hand. 
 
 He faid ; and, high before the tyger-train, 
 With longer ftrides, hangs forward o'er the Gain, 
 Bends, like a falling tree, to reach the foe, 
 And o'er tall Capac aims a deadly blow. 
 The king beheld the ax, and with his wand, 
 Struck the raifed weapon from his grafping hand ; 
 
no BOOK III. 
 
 Then clench'd the falling helve, and whirling round, 
 Fell'd furious hofts of heroes to the ground : 
 Nor ftay'd, but follow'd, where thefquadrons run, 
 Fearing to fight, forfaken by the Sun : 
 Till Cufco's walls falute their longing fight, 
 And the wide gates receive their rapid flight. 
 The folds are barr'd, the foes, in fhade conceal'd, 
 Like howling wolves, rave round the affrighted field. 
 
 The monarch now afcends the facred dome, 
 Where the Sun's image wore a faded gloom. 
 Thro* all the courts a folemn {hade prevail'd. 
 And difmal groans hisliftening ear afTaiTd - y 
 Deep from an inner fhrine, the ftifled 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 ? 
 And does the God obfeure hrs golden throne, 
 In mournful filence for my flaughter'd fon I 
 Oh, had his beam, ere that difaftrous day, 
 That fnatch'd the youth from thefe fond arms awa)V 
 Received my mounting fpirit to thefky, 
 That fad Oella might have feen him die. 
 Where flept thy jfhaft 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 ? 
 And early learn, beneath his father's hand, 
 To fhed thy blefllngs round the favour'd land ? 
 
BOOK III. iii 
 
 Form'd by thy laws the royal feat to grace, 
 Son of thy fon, and glory of his race. 
 Where, cleared: Rocha, rePcs thy beauteous head? 
 Where the rent robes thy haplefs mother made ? 
 I fee thee, mid thofe hideous hills offnow, 
 Purfued and llaughter'd by the favagc foe; 
 Or, doom'd a feait for fome infernal God, 
 Whole horrid fhrine demands thy harmlefs blood. 
 
 Snatch me, D Sun, to happier worlds of light 
 
 No fhroud me, fhroud me, with thyfelf in night ■ 
 
 Thou hearM me not ; thou dread, departed Power, 
 Thy face is dark, and Pvocha is no more. 
 
 Thus heard the filent king; his heaving heart 
 Caught all her grief, and bore a father's part. 
 The caufe, fuggeiled by her tender moan, 
 That veil'd the midday fpicndors of the fun, 
 And fnouts irifulting of the raging fo^ y 
 Fix'd him fufpenfe, in all the itrength of woe. 
 A doubtful moment held his changing choice ; 
 Now would he footh her ; half alTumes his voice ; 
 But greater cares the rifmg wiin contioul, 
 And call forth all his dignity of foul. 
 Why (hould he qeafe to ward the coming fate ? 
 Or fhe be told the foes beliege the gate ? 
 He turn'd in hade ; and now the image-God, 
 High in the front, with kindling 1 nitre giow'd : 
 Swift thro' the portal, Mew the hero's eye, 
 And hail'd the growing Splendor in the fey. 
 
122 BOOK III. 
 
 The thronging hoft, now brightening at the fight, 
 Pour round the dome, impatient for the fight ; 
 The chief, descending, in the portal flood, 
 And thus addrefs'd the all-delighting God. 
 
 O fovereign Soul of heaven ; thy changing face 
 Makes or deftroys the glory of thy race. 
 If, from the bounds of earth, my fon be fled, 
 Firft of thy line that ever graced the dead -, 
 If thy bright Godhead ceafed in heaven to burn, 
 For that loved youth, who never mud return -, 
 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 ihro' the field a.nd leads the warrior's way, 
 May our delighted fouls, to vengeance driven, 
 Burn with new brightnefs in the caufe of heaven -, 
 For thy (lain fon fee larger fquadrons bleed, 
 We mourn the hero, but avenge the deed. 
 
 He faid ; and, from the battlements on high, 
 A watchful warrior raifed an eager cry; 
 
 An Inca white on yonder altar tied 
 
 Tis Rocha's felf — the flame afcends his fide. 
 
 In fweeping hafte the burfting gates unbar, 
 And flood the champaign with a tide of war - y 
 A cloud of arrows leads the rapid train, 
 They mout, they fwarm, they hidethemoving plain 
 The bows and quivers flrow the field behind, 
 And the raifed axes cleave the parting wind ; 
 
BOOK III. 123 
 
 The prince, confeft to every warrior's fight, 
 Infpires each foul and centres ail the fight ; 
 Each hopes to fnatch him from the kindling pyre, 
 Each fears his breath already flits in fire : 
 While Zamor fpread his thronging fquadrons wide, 
 Wedged like a wall — and thus the king defied : 
 Hafte ! fon of Light, pour faft the winged war, 
 The prince, the dying prince demands your care: 
 Hear how his death-fong chides your dull delay, 
 Lift larger ftrides, bend forward to the affray ; 
 Ere folding flames prevent his ftifled groan, 
 Child of your beaming God, a victim to our own. 
 
 He faid ; and railed his fliaggy form on high, 
 And bade the Ihafts glide thicker thro 1 the fky. 
 Like the black billows of the lifted main, 
 Rolls into fight the long Peruvian train ; 
 A white fail, bounding, on the billows toft, 
 Is Capac, ftriding 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, crafti in air, and plough the trembling ground ; 
 Their finewy limbs, in fierce contortions, bend, 
 And mutual ftrokes, with equal force, defcend; 
 The king fways backward from the ftruggling foe, 
 Collects new ftrength, and with a circling blow 
 Rufh'd furious on ; his flinty edge, on high, 
 Met Zamor's helve, and glancing, cleft his thigh. 
 
124 BOOK III. 
 
 The favage fell ; when, thro' the tyger-train, 
 The driving Inca fwept a widening lane ; 
 Whole ranks fall daggering, where he lifts his arm, 
 Or roll before him, like a billowy dorm ; 
 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 ikies, 
 Accept my living fon, again bedow'd, 
 To grace wuh rites the temple of his God. 
 Move, warriors, move, complete the work begun, 
 Cruili the grim race, avenge the injured Sun. 
 
 The favage hod, that view'd the daring deed, 
 And faw deep fquadrons with their leader bleed, 
 Raifed high the fhriek of horror ; all the plain 
 Is trod with flight and cover'd with the (lain. 
 The bold Peruvians circle round the field, 
 
 Confine their Sight and bid the relics yield ; 
 
 <^ 
 
 While Capac railed his placid voice again — 
 Ye conquering bods, collecl the fcatter'd train 5 
 The Sun commands to day the rage of war, 
 He knows to conquer, but he leves to fpare. 
 
 Fie ceafed y and, where the favage leader lay 
 Weltering in gore, directs his eager way -, 
 Unwraps the tyger's hide, and drives in vain 
 To clofe the wound, and mitigate the pain ; 
 And, while foft pity moved his manly bread, 
 Railed the huge head and thus the chief addreft. 
 
BOOK III. 125 
 
 Too long, dread prince, thy raging arms withftood 
 The hofts of heaven, and braved the avenging God - } 
 His fdftireign will commands all ftrife to ceafe, 
 His realm is concord, and his pleafure, peace ; 
 This copious carnage, fpreading all the plain, 
 Infults his bounties, but confirms his reign. 
 Enough, 'tis pail — thy parting breath demands 
 The laft, fad oflice from my yielding hands. 
 To fhare thy pains, and feel thy hopelefs woe, 
 Are rites ungrateful to a falling foe; 
 Yet reft in peace ; and know, a chief fo brave, 
 When life departs, mall find an honour'd grave ; 
 Thefe hands, in mournful pomp, thy tomb fhallrear> 
 And tribes unborn thy haplefs fate declare. 
 
 Infult me not with tombs, the favage cried, 
 Let clofing clods thy coward carcafehide; 
 But thefe brave bones, unbury'd on the plain, 
 Touch not with duft, nor dare with rites profane -, 
 Let no curft earth conceal this gorey head, 
 Nor fongs proclaim the dreadful Zamor dead. 
 Me, whom the hungry Gods, from plain to plain, 
 Have follow'd, feafting on thy flaughter'd train, 
 Me wouldfl 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 mare. 
 Receive, dread Powers, (fince I can flay no more) 
 My lafb glad victim, this devoted gore. 
 
ii6 BOOK III. 
 
 
 Thus pour'd the vengeful chief his fainting breath, 
 And loft his utterance in the gafp of death. 
 The fad remaining tribes confefs the Powerfft 
 That flieds his bounties round the favourite fhore 3 
 All bow obedient to the Incan throne. 
 And bleft Oella hails her living fon, 
 
THE 
 
 VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 DeflrucJion of Peru foretold. Grief cf Columbus. He 
 is comforted by a promife of a vifion of future aesg* 
 All Europe appears in vifion. Effect of the difcovery 
 upon the affairs of Europe. Improvement in com- 
 merce — government. Revival of learning. Reform- 
 ation in religion. Order of the Jefuits. Religious 
 perfection. Character of Raleigh ; who plans the 
 fettlement of North- America. Formation cf the 
 coaft by the gulph-flr earn. Nature of the colonial 
 eftablifrments. Fleets of fettlers fleering for Amer- 
 ica. 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 I 
 
 N one dark age, beneath a Tingle 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, 
 That e'er adorn'd the unguided mind of man. 
 
 Yet all the pomp, the extended climes unfold, 
 The fields of verdure and the towers of gold, 
 Thofe works of peace, and fovereign fcenes of ftate, 
 In ihort-lived glory, haften to their fate. 
 Thy followers, rufliing like an angry flood, 
 Shall whelm the fields and (lain the fhrines in blood ; 
 Nor thou, Las Cafas, beft of men, (halt (lay 
 The ravening legions from their guard lefs prey. 
 Oh ! haplefs prelate, hero, faint and fage, 
 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, ftands, 
 Guilt in his heart, the gofpel in his hands, 
 
ijo BOOK IV. 
 
 Bids, in one field, unnumbered fquadrons bleed, 
 Smiles o'er the fcene and fanctifies the deed. 
 
 'And thou, brave Gafca, with thy virtuous train, 
 Shalt lift the fword and urge thy power in vain ; 
 Vain, the late tafk, the finking land to fave, 
 Or call her flaughter'd millions from the grave. 
 The Seraph fpoke. Columbus, with a figh, 
 Cad o'er the haplefs climes his moiften'd eye, 
 And thus return'd : Oh, hide me in the tomb ; 
 Why fhould I live to view the impending doom ? 
 Iffuch dread fcenes the fcheme of heaven compofej 
 And virtuous toils induce redoubled woes, 
 Unfold no more ; but grant a kind releafe, 
 Give me, 'tis all I afk, to reft in peace. 
 
 Thy foul ihall reft in peace, the Power rejoin'd, 
 Ere thefe ■conflicting ihades involve mankind : 
 But nobler views fhall firft thy mind engage, 
 Beyond the bounds of thisdeftruflive age; 
 Where happier fruits of thy unwearied toil, 
 Thro' future years, and other empires, fmile. 
 Europe's contending realms mail foon behold 
 Thefe fruitful plains and hills of opening gold; 
 Fair in the path of thy adventurous fail, 
 Their OQwntlcfs navies float in every gale, 
 For wealth and commerce, fweep the extended ihore, 
 
 . And. load the ocean with the mining ore. 
 
 As,-up~the orient heaven, the dawning ray 
 Smiles o'er the world and gives the promifed day •„ 
 
BOOK IV. 131 
 
 Drives fraud and rapine from their nightly fpoil, 
 And focial nature wakes to peaceful toil ; 
 So, from the blazing mine, the golden (lore, 
 Mid warring nations, fpreads from fhore to more, 
 With new ambition fires their ravim'd eyes, 
 O'er factious nobles bids the monarch rife; 
 Unites the force of realms, the wealth to Ihare, 
 Leads larger hods to milder walks of war ; 
 The golden fcale, while rival ftates fufpend, 
 And princely powers their mutual aid extend ; 
 Wide o'er the world, while genius unconfined 
 Tempts happier flights and opens all the mind ; 
 Unbinds the flavifn. bands of monkifh lore, 
 Awakes the arts and bids the Mufes foar. 
 
 Then mall thy northern climes their charms dif- 
 United nations there extend their fway j f play ; 
 
 O'er the new world exalt their peerlefs throne, 
 And twine thy wreaths immortal on their crown. 
 
 Now lift thine eye. O'er Europe's circling rounds, 
 Where kings contending claim their bordering 
 Behold in light, the nations (lowly rife, [bounds, 
 Like trembling vapours in the morning flcies. 
 Where thofe long fhores their different courfes run, 
 Round the dim north, and tow'rd the eaftern fun; 
 The naked harbours, looking to the main, 
 Unfold cheir bounds and break the winds in vain ; 
 The labouring tide no foreign treafure brings, 
 No floating forelt waves its canvafs wings, 
 
IJ2 BOOK IV. 
 
 No bufy throngs the lonely margin tread,. 
 Ncr fails nor cities call: a watery fhade ; 
 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. 
 The nations fierce, that local faiths enrage, 
 In caufeiefs ftrife perpetual combat wage. 
 No martial fyftem claims the monarch's care, 
 Nor {landing legions guard the realm from war; 
 Give general laws to nations, and reftrain 
 The untemper'd rage of paiTion's lawlefs reign. 
 
 But the firm bondage of the flavifh mind, 
 Spreads deeper glooms and fubjugates mankind. 
 As the dark northern tribes, in elder times, 
 Drove every art from Europe's cultured climes, 
 O'er ruin'd Latium fix'd their favage reign, 
 Mid towers o'erturn'd and learned millions (lain ; 
 Thus, o'er the fame fair feats, with deadlier fnade, 
 Folly and zeal their fable enfigns fpread, 
 Send their cowFd teachers every feci to blind, 
 Stretch the deep mantle and fecure the mind, 
 Warn from the world, by Gallileo's fate, 
 Each daring truth that boafls a modern date, 
 Support all crimes, by full indulgence given, 
 Uiurp the power and wield the fword of Heaven. 
 
 But fee, where future years their fcenes unroll, 
 And fifing arts infpire the venturous foul. 
 
BOO K 1 IV. 133 
 
 Behold, from all the extended coafts of Spain, 
 Unnumber'd navies croud the whitening main ; 
 High o'er the weftern wave, in cloudly flight, 
 They ftream and lefien on the varying fight, 
 Dim thro' the ifles and middle regions pour, 
 Furl the low fails, and fid rt the mafted more. 
 From the long ftrand the moving loads behold, 
 The fparkling gems, and heaps of burning gold. 
 The fails afcend ; and, tow'rd their native day, 
 With heavier burdens win their arduous way! 
 
 Now, from all coafts, that Europe's realms fur round', 
 See the long fquadrons o'er the billows bound - % 
 Thro' Afric's ifles, obferve the fweepirig fails, 
 Full pinions tofllng in Arabian gales - y 
 Indus and Ganges, deep in canvafs, loft, 
 And navies crouding round each orient coafts 
 New nations rife to light, extend the toil, 
 Unfold their treafures, mare the foreign fpoil, 
 Join diftant worlds, all climes and oceans brave, 
 And fhade with fheets the immeafurable wave. 
 
 While rival realms in greater works engage, 
 And wake the genius of a happier age -, 
 Their bounds enlarge, and mutual fafety mare, 
 By leagues of peace and ftahcling ftrength of war. 
 See lofty Ximines, with folemn gait, 
 Move from the cloifter to the walks of ftate, 
 Thro' all the extended baronies of Spain, 
 Curb the fierce lords, and fix the royal reign. 
 
134 BOOK IV. 
 
 Behold, dread Charles the fovereign feat afcends, 
 
 O'er kings and climes his eager view extends ; 
 
 Europe's furrounding ftates, before his eyes, 
 
 Lure the wide wifh and bid his claims arife ; 
 
 While wealthier mores, beneath the weftern day, 
 
 Unfold their treafures and enlarge his fway. 
 
 See the brave Francis lift his banners round, 
 
 To guard the realms and give his rival bound -, 
 
 With equal pomp, the imperial fceptre clairn^ 
 
 And fire the nations with an equal name, 
 
 Unite his kingdom and his power extend, 
 
 Of arms the patron, and of arts the friend. < 
 
 And fee proud Wolfey rife, fecurely great, 
 
 Kings in his train, and fceptres at his feet, 
 
 From monkifh walls, the-hoards of wealth he draws, 
 
 To aid the tyrant and retrain the laws, 
 
 Wakes Albion's genius, abler monarchs braves, 
 
 And fhares with them the empire of the waves. 
 
 Behold dark Solyman, from eaftem ikies, 
 
 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 Chriftian Powers, with haughty air, 
 
 And teach the nations how to lead the war. 
 
 There powerful Leo rifes into fight, 
 
 And, generous, calls the finer arts to light; 
 
 New walls and ftruclures throng the Latian fhorc 
 
 The Pencil triumphs and the Mufes foar. 
 
 
BOOK IV. 135 
 
 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 tafte their ancient glory knew. 
 
 O'er the dark world Erafmus cads his eye; 
 In fchoolmen's lore fees kings and nations lie ; 
 With ftrength of judgement and with fancy warm, 
 Derides their follies, and diffolvcs the charm, 
 Draws the deep veil, that bigot zeal has thrown 
 O'er pagan books, and fcience long unknown, 
 From faith of pageant rites relieves mankind, 
 And feats bold virtue in the confcious mind. 
 But (till the daring tafk, to brave alone 
 The rifing vengeance of the Papal throne, 
 Retrains his toil : he gives the conteft o'er, [Power. 
 And leaves his hardier fons to dare the threatening 
 
 Thus taught the Seer ; Columbus turn'd his view* 
 Where round the regions other wonders drew; 
 Saw in the north a daring fage afcend, 
 And o'er his form a fable robe depend ; 
 The Cowl conceal'd his eye ; his fearlefs head, 
 Like morning mift, a hovering cloud o'erfpread ; 
 Above the gloom, defcending luftre beams, 
 And ftieaks the concave with cerulean ftreams. 
 Sudden the burfting cloud expands in light, 
 And heaven unfolding fills his raptured fight. 
 His changing robes in golden fplendor blaze. 
 Around his head a ilarry rainbow plays ; 
 
itf B O O K IV. 
 
 , High in his hand a beam of glory burns, 
 And realms furrounding brighten as it turns. 
 
 When thus the Power -, Thefe happier vifions trace 
 The deftirted joys that wait the rifing race. 
 Great Luther moves in that majeftic frame, 
 Fair light, of heaven, and child of deathlefs fame; 
 Born, like thy felf, thro' toils and griefs to wind, 
 From .{loth and flavery free the captive mind, 
 Brave adverfe Powers, controul the Papal fway, 
 And bring. benighted nations into day. 
 The beam of glory, lifted in his hand, 
 Is Heaven's own word that jfhines on every land; 
 By his bold pen, in modern ftyle difplay'd, 
 From the glad world, it drives the myftic fhade. 
 See the long crouds, his fame around him brings, 
 Schools, fynods, .prelates, potentates and kings ; 
 All gaining knowledge from his boundlefs ftore, 
 : K Andjoin'd to fhield him from the rage of power. 
 
 ; *\ FirPc of ihe train, fee Frederic's princely form 
 
 • .: Ward from the fage divine the gathering ftorm ; 
 
 Xn learned Wittemburgh fecure his feat, 
 4 Where arts and virtues find a bled retreat. 
 
 Railed bv his voice, glad pupils round him Hand, 
 
 Affi.ft his toils and fpread to every land. 
 
 There. moves Melanchton, mild as morning light, 
 
 And rage and ftrife are/bften'd in his fight ; 
 
 In terms fo gentle flows his tuneful tongue, 
 
 Ev'n cloifter'd bigots join the liftening throng i 
 
BOOK IV. 137 
 
 By foes and infidels he lives approved, 
 
 By monarchs courted and by heaven beloved. 
 
 With ftern deport, o'er all the circling band, 
 
 See Ofiander lift his waving hand ; 
 
 On Others' faults he cads a haughty frown, 
 
 Nor their's will pardon nor perceive his own; 
 
 A heart fincere 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 joys defcend ! 
 A larger policy pervades the whole, 
 And civil rights infpire the free-born foul. 
 See haughty Henry, from the Papal tie, 
 His realms difmember, and the Power defy ; 
 While Albion's fonsdifdain a foreign throne, 
 And bravely bound the oppreflion of his own. 
 
 Another fcene ftill marks the important age, 
 And hardier toils adventurous thrcn^s engage. 
 
 O DO 
 
 There ftarts fierce Loyola, an unknown name, 
 By paths unfeen to reach the goal of fame ; 
 Thro' courts and camps, by lecret fkill, to wind; 
 To mine whole dates and over-reach mankind. 
 The tafk begins ; behold an artful race, 
 Range thro' the world, and every fed: embrace, 
 Their creeds, their powers, their policjes explore, 
 And lead an intercourfe from fhore to fnore. 
 See the full throngs, in every diftant land, 
 Embrace the caufe and fwell the wide command : 
 
 S 
 
i3& BOOK VL 
 
 In towering pride, afcending to the fkies, 
 Their growing fanes and feats of fcience rife a 
 A new-form'd empire gains a fudden birth, 
 Built in ail empires o'er the peopled earth. 
 Led, by thy followers, to the weilern day, 
 In happier climes, Jbehold their fovereign fway, 
 Where Paraguay's mild nations fmile in peace, 
 And generous arts and facial joys increafe. 
 
 Thus ail the tribes of men, beneath thy view, 
 Enlarge their walks and nobler toils purfue, 
 Unwonted deeds, in rival greatnefs, fhine, 
 Call'd into life and nrfl infpired by thine. 
 So, while imperial Homer tunes the lyre, 
 The living lays unnumber'd bards infpire, 
 From realm to realm, the kindling fpirit flies, 
 Sounds thro' the earth and echoes to the fides. 
 
 Now move, in rapid hafte, the years of time, 
 When, borne afar from this enlighten'd clime, 
 Thy brighter fans ill all croud the weftern main, 
 And northern empires bloom beneath their reign, 
 To fpeed their courfc, tht leaders of the age, 
 By error darkened and religious rage, 
 Bid Perfecution whelm in kindred blood, 
 The walls of peace, and temples of their God : 
 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 ; 
 
BOOK IV, 139 
 
 See Jews and Moors, that croud the fatal ftrand, 
 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 thcfhore ! 
 What fhrines and altars (low with ehfiftian gore ! 
 What difmal (bricks ! what agonizing cries ! 
 What prayers are wafted to' the liitening Ikies ! 
 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. 
 See Philip, throned in infolenceand pride, 
 Enjoy their wailings and their pangs deride ; 
 While, feattering death round Albion's crimfon ides, 
 O'er the fame fcenes, his cruel confort fmiles. 
 Amid the flrife, a likedeftruction reigns, 
 With wider fweep, o'er Gallia's fatal plains ; 
 See 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. 
 
 Now ceafe the factions, with the Valoife line, . 
 And the great Bourbon's liberal virtues fliine - y 
 Quell'd by his voice, the furious feels accord, 
 And diftant empires tremble at his (word. 
 See, fmiling Albion views, with glad furprife, 
 A rival reign, in blefl: Eliza, rife 5 
 
140 BOOK IV. 
 
 O'er Belgia's plains while daring leaders foar. 
 And brave the vengeance of the Iberian povier. 
 
 Now from all coafrs, where fhaded plains extend. 
 See the bent forefts to the main defcend. 
 From Albion's frrand, behold the navies heave, 
 Stretch in a line and thunder o'er the wave ; 
 There toils brave RulTel, mafter of the main, 
 And moves in triumph o'er the pride of Spain. 
 
 The Seraph fpokc j when fair beneath their eye, 
 A new-form'd fquadron rofe along the fky 1 
 High on the tailed deck, majeftic fhone 
 Great Raleigh, pointing tow'rd the weftern fun ; 
 His eye, bent forward, ardent and fublime, 
 Seem'd piercing nature and evolving time ; 
 Befide him flood a globe, whofe figures traced 
 A future empire in each wilcler'd wafre ; 
 All former works of men behind him fhone, 
 Graved by his hand in ever- during ftone f 
 On his mild brow, a various crown difplays 
 The hero's laurel and the fcholar's bays 5 
 His graceful limbs in freely mail were drefr, 
 The bright frar burning on his manly breaft ; 
 His fword high-beaming, like a waving fpire, 
 Illumed the.fhrouds and fiain'd the folar fire 5 
 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 weftern ccafrs faiute their longing fight : 
 
 COD 
 
BOOK IV. 141 
 
 Glad Chefapeake unfolds a pafTage wide, 
 
 And leads their dreamers up the frefhening tide ; 
 
 Where a mild region and delightful foil 
 
 And groves and dreams allure the fteps of toil. 
 
 Here, lodged in peace, they tread the welcome land, 
 
 An inftar.t harveft waves beneath their hand, 
 
 Spontaneous fruits their eafy cares beguile, 
 
 And opening fields in living culture fmile. 
 
 With joy Columbus vievv'd j when thus his voice, 
 Ye beauteous fhores, and generous hods, rejoice. 
 Here dretch the water'd plains and midland tide, 
 And nature blooms in all her virgin pride ; 
 The years advance, by Heaven's bled arm unroll'd, 
 When the deep wilds their promifed change behold. 
 Be thou, my Seer, the people's guardian friend, 
 Protect their virtues and their lives defend -, 
 May wealth and grandeur, with their arts, unfold. 
 Yet fave, oh, fave 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 blefiings, that extend, 
 Where civil rights and focial virtues blend ; 
 In thefe brave leaders find a welcome guide, 
 And rear their fanes and empires by their fide. 
 Smile, happy region, fmile ; the dar of morn 
 Illumes thy heavens, and bids thy day be born ; 
 Thy opening foreds fhow the work begun, 
 Thy plains, unfhaded, drink a purer fun ; 
 
142 BOOK IV. 
 
 Unwonted navies on .thy currents glide, 
 And happier treafures waft on every tide ; 
 Yield now thy bounties, load the diftant main ; 
 Give birth to nations and begin thy reign. 
 
 The hero fpoke ; when thus the Power rejoin'd, 
 Approved his joy, and Hill enlarged his mind : 
 To thy warm wifh, beneath thefe opening fkies, 
 The pride of earth-born empires foon fhall rife. 
 My powerful arm, to which the talk was given, 
 On this fair globe to work the will of Heaven ; 
 To rear the mountain, fpread the fubj eel: plain, 
 Lead the long dream and roll the billowy main, 
 In every clime prepared the feats of ftate, 
 Defign'd their limits and prefcribed their date. 
 To meet thefe tides, I ftretch'd the level ilrand, 
 Heaved the green banks and taught the groves to (land, 
 Strow'd the wild fruitage, gave the beads their place, 
 And form'd the region for thy kindred race. 
 
 In elder years, when flrft the watery round, 
 And meeting 4ands their blending borders found ; 
 Back to thofe diftant hills, that range fuplime, 
 From yon deep gulph, thro' all the northern clime, 
 The Atlantic wave it's coral kingdoms fpread, 
 And fcaly nations here their gambols led. 
 By flow degrees, thro' foliawing years of time, 
 I bared thefe realms* and raifed the extended clime ; 
 
 * Among the various mutations, which appear to have taken 
 place in different parts of the earth, the formation of the coaft oi 
 
BOOK IV. 143 
 
 As, from retiring Teas, the rifing fand 
 Stole into light and gently drew to land. 
 
 Moved by the winds, that fweep the flaming zone, 
 The waves roll weftward with the conftant fun, 
 Meet the firm Ifthmus, fcoop that gulphy bed, 
 Wheel tow'rd thenorth,and here their currents fpreao*: 
 Thofe ravaged banks, that move beneath their force, 
 Borne on the tide and left along the courfe, 
 Have form'd this beauteous fhore by Heaven defign'd* 
 The happieft empire that awaits mankind. 
 
 Think not the luft of gold fhall here annoy, 
 Enflave the nations and the race deftroy. 
 No flaming mine thefe lengthening hills enclofe, 
 No ruby ripens and no diamond glows ; 
 But richer (lores and rocks of ufeful mouldy 
 Repay, in wealth, the penury of gold. 
 Freedom's unconquer'd fons, with healthy toil, 
 Shall lop the grove and warm the furrow'd foil, 
 
 ^orth- America by the gulph ftream, is one of the mod remarkable. 
 Hie rifing of fand-banks, which are perpetually increafmg along 
 he fliores of Virginia and the Carolinas — the layers of fea-ihells 
 md pieces of wood, which are found at the depth of forty or fifty 
 'eet below the furface, at the dillance of a hundred miles from the 
 ea, in the middle and fouthern States — the level and uniform ap- 
 pearance of the country, from New-jerfey to Eaft-Florida — and the 
 /a.8. cavity which appears to have been feooped out of the earth, to 
 Era the gulph of Mexico, are circumitances which eftablifh the 
 ibove as an undoubted fact. It is evident, that, not only the ifland 
 :>f Newfoundland, Cape-Cod, Sec. but the greater part of the 
 fettled country, from the river Delaware to Cape St. Auguftinc, h 
 an accretion of earth worn off from the Ifthmus of Darien, by that 
 ftrong current of water which follows the trade winds ; and, meet- 
 ing the obftrucYion of the Ifthmus, takes a northern direction and 
 fweeps the coalt, as far as the river St. Laurence. 
 
144 BOOK IV. 
 
 From iron ridges break the rugged ore, 
 Smooth the pale marble* fpire the bending fhore $ 
 While fails and towers and temples round them heave,' 
 Shine o'er the realms and fhade the diftant wave. 
 Nor think the native tribes, thefe wilds that trace, 
 A~foe fhall find in this exalted race ; 
 In fouls like theirs, no mean, ungenerous aim 
 Can fhade their glories with the deeds of fhame ; 
 Nor low deceit, weak mortals to enfnare, 
 Nor bigot zeal to urge the barbarous war ; 
 Nor haughty pomp of power, nof Spaniih pride* 
 To ravage realms and nature's laws deride. 
 From eaftern tyrants driven, and nobly brave, 
 To build new dates, or feek a diftant grave, 
 Thy generous fons, with proffer'd leagues of peace,- 
 Approach thefe climes, and hail the favage race , 
 Pay the jufc purchafe for the uncultured fhore, 
 Diffufe their arts and fhare the friendly power; 
 While the dark tribes in focial aid combine, 
 Exchange their treafures and their joys refine. 
 
 O'er Europe's wilds, when frrft the nations fpready 
 The pride of conqueft every legion led. 
 Each powerful chief, by fervile crouds adored, 
 O'er conquer'd realms afTumed the name of lord, 
 Built the proud caftle, ranged the favage wood, 
 Fired his grim hoft to frequent fields of blood, 
 With new-made honours lured his fubje££ bands, 
 Pxice of their lives, and purchafe of their lands ; 
 
BOOK IV. 145 
 
 For names and titles, bade the world refign 
 Their faith, their freedom and their rights divine. 
 
 Thus haughty baronies their terrors fpread, 
 And flavery follow'd where the ftandard led ; 
 Till, little tyrants by the great o'erthrown, 
 Contending nobles give the regal crown ; 
 Wealth, wifdom, virtue, every claim of man 
 Unguarded fall to form the finiih'd plan : 
 Ambitious cares, that nature never gave, 
 Warm the ftarved peafant, fire the fceptred Have ; 
 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. 
 As the glad coaft, by Heaven's lupreme command, 
 Won from the wave, prefents a new-form'd land ; 
 Yields richer fruits and fpreads a kinder foil, 
 And pays with greater (lores the hand of toil ; 
 So, call'd from flavifh climes, a bolder race, 
 With ftatelier ftep, thefe fair abodes mail trace * 
 Their freeborn fouls, with genius unconnned, 
 Nor (loth can poifon, nor a tyrant bind - y 
 With felf-wrought fame and worth internal bleftj 
 No venal (tar (hall brighten on the breaft - } 
 No king-created name or courtly art 
 Damp the bold thought, or fway the changing heart, 
 
 T 
 
1 46 BOOK IV. 
 
 Above all fraud, beyond all titles great, 
 
 Heaven in their foul and fceptres at their feet. 
 
 The fires of unborn nations move fublime, 
 
 Look empires thro' and pierce the veil of time, 
 
 The fair foundations form, and lead afar 
 
 The palm of peace or fcourge of barbarous war. 
 
 Their following fons the godlike toil behold, 
 
 In freedom's caufe, unconquerably bold, 
 
 Complete the toils, difplay their glories round, 
 
 Domeftic ftates and diftant empires bound, 
 
 Brave the dread powers, that eaftern monarchs boafl, 
 
 Explore all climes, enlighten every coait 5 
 
 Till arts and laws, in one great fyftem 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 
 Pervades all fcenes that unborn realms unroll, 
 Muft yield the palm; and, at a courtier's fhrine, 
 His fame, his freedom and his life refign. 
 That feeble train, the lonely wilds who tread, 
 Their fire, their genius in their Raleigh dead, 
 Shall pine and perifh in the frowning gloom, 
 Or mount the wave and feek their ancient home. 
 Succeeding hofts the daring tafk purfue, 
 The dangers brave and all the flrife renew ; 
 But vain the toil ; while void of wealth and power, 
 Their fleets to furnifh and their claims fecurej 
 
BOOK IV. I47 
 
 While kings and courtiers ftill neglect the plan, 
 The (laves of eafe and enemies of man. 
 
 Till noble Del'ware, with his venturous train, 
 In ftrength and fortune, hails the fair domain, 
 Divides his bounties, aids the patriot caufe, 
 Begins the culture and defigns their laws. 
 Fired with the great fuccefs the afpiring age 
 Sees greater throngs the glorious toil engage. 
 Where the long ftrand unnumber'd flreams divide. 
 Their rival heroes lead their naval pride, 
 Back from the ports extend a peaceful fway, 
 And fpread their hamlets tow'rd the fetting day. 
 
 From yon low fhore, where Texel meets the main, 
 See the toil navies bear a venturous train ; 
 See, fcourged by bigot rage from Albion's coafr, 
 The noble Baltimore collcft his hoft, 
 In queft of freedom feek a happier land, 
 And fhield and cheriili his illuftrious band ; 
 While heaven-taught Penn fublimely towers along, 
 And ardent crouds beneath his ftandard throng j 
 See, by his fide, a future city plann'd, 
 A code of ftatutes folded in his hand ; 
 Progreflive years and ages, as they rife, 
 Unroll their fcenes and open to his eyes. 
 See, from grim Laud, a perfecuted band 
 Mount the bold bark and flee the fatal ftrahd ; 
 Virtue's unconquer'd, venerable train, 
 Whom tyrants prefs and waves oppofe in vain ; 
 
i 4 S BOOK IV. 
 
 While faith and freedom fpread a nobler charm* 
 And toils and dangers every bofom warm. 
 Fee other hods and chiefs, in bright array, 
 Full pinions crouding on the watery way -, 
 Ail from their different fhores, their fails unfurl'd. 
 Point their glad ftreamers to the weitern world. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION of COLUMBUS 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 Vifion confined to North America. Prcgrefs ofthejet- 
 tlements. General invafion of the natives. Their 
 defeat. Settlement of Canada. Invafion ef the 
 French. Braddock's defeat. Wafhingtonjaves the 
 Englijh army. Aclions of Abercrombie, Amherft and 
 Wolfe. Peace. Darknefs over/hades the continent. 
 Apprehenfions of Columbus from that appearance. 
 Cauje explained. Cloud burfts away in the centre. 
 View of Congrefs. Invafion of the Englijh. Con- 
 flagration of towns, from Falm outh to Norfolk . Bat- 
 tle of Bunker-hill, viezved through thefmoke. Ame- 
 rican army ajfembles. Speech of WafhingtGn. Ac- 
 tions ayid death of Montgomery. Aclions of W afh- 
 ington. Approach and capture ofBurgoyne. 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS, 
 BOOK V. 
 
 VJOLUMBUS hail'd them with a father's fmile, 
 Fruits of his cares and children of his toil ; 
 With tears of joy, while Hill his eyes defcried 
 Their courfe adventurous o'er the diftant tide. 
 Thus, when o'er deluged earth her Seraph flood, 
 The toft ark bounding on the fhorelefs flood, 
 The facred treafure claim'd his guardian view, 
 While climes unnoticed in the wave withdrew. 
 
 He faw the fquadrons reach the rifing ftrand, 
 Leap from the wave and fhare the joyous land ; 
 Receding forefts yield the heroes room, 
 And opening wilds with fields and gardens bloom. 
 FilFd with the glance extatic, all his foul 
 Now feems unbounded with the fcene to roll, 
 And now, impatient, with retorted eye, 
 Perceives his ftation in another fky. 
 
 Waft me, O winged Angel, waft me o'er, 
 With thole blefl heroes, to the happy fhore ; 
 There let me live and die — but all appears 
 A fleeting vifion ; thefe are future years. 
 
152 B O O K V. 
 
 Yet grant in nearer view the climes may fpread; 
 And my glad Heps may feem their walks to tread j 
 While eaflern coafls and kingdoms, wrapp'd in nighty 
 Arife no more to intercept the fight. 
 
 The hero fpoke -, the Angel's powerful hand 
 Moves brightening o'er the vifionary land ; 
 The height, that bore them, ftill fublimer grew, 
 And earth's whole circuit fettled from their view : 
 A duiky Deep, ferene as breathlefs even, 
 Seem'd vaulting downward, like another heaven ; 
 The fun, rejoicing on his wefbern way, 
 Stamp'd his fair image in the inverted day : 
 Sudden, the northern fhores again drew nigh, 
 And life and action fill'd the hero's eye. 
 Where the dread Laurence breaks his pafifage wide, 
 Where MiiTifippi's milder currents glide, 
 Vv T here midland realms their fweHing mountainsheave, 
 And Hope their champaigns to thediftant wave, 
 On the green banks, and o'er the extended plain, 
 Rife into fight the happieft walks of man. 
 The placid ports, that break the billowing gales, 
 Rear their tall mads and ftretch their whitening fails; 
 The harvefts wave, the groves with fruitage bend, 
 And bulwarks heave, and fpiry domes afcend ; 
 Fair works of peace in growing fplendor rife, 
 And grateful earth repays the bounteous ikies. 
 Till war, invades ; when opening vales difclofe, 
 In moving crouds, the favage tribes of foes ; 
 
 
BOOK ; V. 
 
 U3 
 
 High tufted quills their painted foreheads prefs, 
 Dark fpoils of beafts their fhaggy fhoulders drefs. 
 The bow bent forward, for the combat ft rung, 
 The ax, the quiver on the girdle hung -, 
 The deep, difcordant yells convulfe the air. 
 And the wild wafte refounds approaching war. 
 
 The hero look'd ; and every darken'd height 
 Pours down the dufky fquadrons to the light. 
 Where Kennebec's high fource forfakes the iky, 
 Where deep Champlain's extended waters lie, 
 Where the bold Hudfon leads his fhadowy tide, 
 Where Kaatfkill-heights the azure vault divide, 
 Where the dim Allesanies range fublime, 
 And give their ftreams to every diftant clime, 
 The fwarms defcended, like an evening fhade, 
 And wolves and vultures follow'd where they fpread. 
 Thus when a ftorm, on eaftern pinions driven, 
 Meets the firm Andes in themidft of heaven, 
 The clouds convulfe, thetQrrents pour amain, 
 And the black waters fweep the fubjecT: plain. 
 
 Thro' cultured fields, the bloody myriads fpread, 
 Sack the lone village, ftrow the ftreets with dead ; 
 The flames afpire, the fmoky volumes rife, 
 And fhrieks and fhouts redouble round the ikies -, 
 Fair babes and matrons in their domes expire, 
 Or burn: their paffage thro' the folding fire ; 
 O'er woods and plains, promifcuous rave along 
 The yelling victors and the driven throng ; 
 
 U 
 
154 BOOK V, 
 
 The ftreams run purple -, all the extended fhore 
 Is wrapp'd in flames and trod with fteps of gore. 
 Till numerous hofts, collecting from afar, 
 Exalt the ftandard and oppofe the war. 
 Point their loud thunders on the fhouting foe, 
 And brave the ihafced 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 ihafts in hafte, 
 Forget their fpoils and fcour the diftant wafte. 
 As, when the morning fun begins his way, 
 The fhadows vanifh where he gives the day ; 
 So the dark tribes, from brighter regions hurl'd, 
 Sweepo'er the heights and lakes, far thro' the wilder'd 
 
 Now move in nobler pomp the toils of peace[world. 
 New. temples rife and fplendid towers increafe. 
 He law, where Perm his peaceful thoufands led, 
 A fp reading town bright Dei' ware's waves o'erfhade > 
 The crofling (beets in fair proportion run, 
 The walls and pavements fparkle to the fun. 
 Lake that famed city, rofe the beauteous plan, 
 W hofe fpacious bounds Semiramis began -, 
 Long ages flnifh'd what her hand defign'd, 
 The pride of kings and wonder of mankind. 
 
 Where labouring Hudfon's glaiTy current flrays, 
 York's glowing walls their fplendid turrets raife j 
 Albania rifing in her midland pride, 
 Rolls her , rich treafures on his lengthening tide ; 
 
BOOK V. Wss 
 
 Fair in her circling dreams bled Newport laves, 
 And Bodon opens o'er the fubje£t waves -, 
 Onfouthern iliores, where happier currents glide, 
 The banks bloom gay, and cities grace their fide ; 
 Like morning clouds, that tinge their fkirtswith gold, 
 Bright Charledon's roofs and fparkling fpires unfold. 
 
 Thro' each extended realm, inwifdom great, 
 Rofe the dread fires, that claim the cares of Hate -, 
 Long robes of pured white their forms embrace, 
 Their better hands imperial fceptres grace, 
 Their left the laws, that fhining leaves infold, 
 Where rights and charters flame in figured gold. 
 
 High on a feat, that opening crouds difclofe, 
 Bled Baltimore, from toils and dangers, rofe j 
 The facred Crofs, before his kindling eyes, 
 From foes defended, and of peace the prize, 
 Waves o'er the hod ; who catch the liberal flame. 
 Partake the freedom and extend the fame. 
 With port majeftic, rifing to his throne, 
 Immortal Penn, in rival ludre flione, 
 Difpenfing jufcice to the train below, 
 Peace in his voice and firmnefs on his brow. 
 Another croud fees generous Belcher (land, 
 And gains new glory from his liberal hand ± 
 He aids the toil, and (till exalts ihe plan, 
 Patron of fcience, liberty and man. 
 With fteady fcep, bold Winthrop towers along, 
 Waves the bright wand and cheers the noble throng; 
 
£6 B O O K V. 
 
 Beneath his firm, unalterable fway, 
 Fair Virtue reigns, and grateful realms obey, 
 While other forms, the rifing ftates around, 
 By v/ifdom graced, with equal honours crown'd, 
 Trail the long robe, extend the fceptred hand, 
 Drive guilt and flavery from the joyous land, 
 Bid arts and culture, wealth and wifdom rife, 
 Friends of mankind and favourites of the fkies. 
 
 Up the wild ftreams, that bound the hero's view* 
 Great Gallia's fons their weftern courfe purfue ; 
 On fertile banks fair towns and villas role, 
 That dared the vengeance of furrounding foes. 
 Here cold Canadia round her Laurence fpread, 
 And raifed her cities o'er his watery glade ; 
 There Louifiana's happier borders run, 
 Spread fairer lawns and feel a purer fun -, 
 While the glad lakes and broad Ohio's dream 
 Seem finding confcious of approaching fame. 
 
 Now larger barks purfue their rapid courfe, 
 Unite their labours and extend their force : 
 Beneath their lifted fails, arife in fight 
 White flags difplay'd and armies robed in white; 
 Through the deep midland wafte, they ftream afar, 
 And threat weak realms with defolating war. 
 W T here proud Quebec exalts her rocky feat, 
 They range their camp and fpread the frowning fleer. 
 Lead conquering legions, weftern wilds to brave, 
 Raife lone Ofwae;o o'er the untraverfed wave j 
 
 o" 
 
 _- 
 
B O O K V. 157 
 
 While other fquadrons tempt another flood, 
 And dark Ohio fwelis beneath the load. 
 
 When, fierce, from Albion's coaft, a warlike train 
 Moves o'er the Tea, and treads the dufky plain j 
 Swift to their aid, from all the crouded ftrand, 
 Rife, bright in arms, the wide colonial band ; 
 They join their force ; and, tow'rd the falling day, 
 The fame bold banners lead their dreadful way $ 
 O'er Allagany-heights, like dreams of fire, 
 The red flags wave and glittering arms afpire ; 
 Beyond the hills, where, o'er the lonely flood, 
 A hoftile fortrefs fpreads its bounds abroad, 
 They bend the venturous march ; the hoft within 
 Behold their danger, and the ftrife begin. 
 From the full burfting gates, the fweeping train 
 Pour forth the war and hide the founding plain ; 
 The oppofing fquadrons, ranged in order bright, 
 Wait the dire ihock and kindle for the fight ; 
 The batteries blaze, the moving vollies pour, 
 The fhuddering vales and echoing mountains roar ; 
 Clouds of convolving fmoke the welkin fpread, 
 Shroud the wide champaign, and the hills o'erfhade. 
 Loft in the rocking thunder's loud career, 
 No fhouts or groans invade the hero's ear, 
 Nor val'rous feats are feen, nor flight, nor fall, 
 While deep-furrounding darknefs buries all. 
 
 Till, driv'n by rifing winds, the clouds withdrew, 
 And oped the fpreading (laughter to his view ■> 
 
158 BOOK V, 
 
 He faw the Britifh leader, borne afar, 
 In duft and gore beyond the wings of war ; 
 Saw the long ranks of foes his hoft furround, 
 His chiefs confufed, his fquadrons prefs the ground s 
 As, hemm'd on every fide, the trembling train 
 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 ftrode, 
 And tower'd undaunted o'er the field of blood, 
 In defperate toils with rifing vengeance burn'd, 
 And the pale fquadrons brighten'd where he turn'd, 
 As, when thick vapors veil the evening fky, 
 And ftarry hofts, in half-feen luftre fly, 
 Bright Hefper fhines o'er all the twinkling crcud, 
 And gives new fplendor thro' the opening cloud. 
 
 Fair on a firey fteed, fublime he rofe, 
 Wedg'd the firm files and eyed the circling foes ; 
 Then waved his gleamy fword, that flafh'd the day, 
 And, thro' dread legions, hew'd the rapid way, 
 His hofts roll forward, like an angry flood, 
 Sweep ranks away and fmear their paths in blood ; 
 The hovering foes purfue the ftrife afar, 
 And fhower their balls along the flying war ; 
 When the brave leader turns his fweeping force, 
 Points the flight forward — fpeeds his backwapdcourfe; 
 The foes fly fcattering where his arm is wheel'd, 
 And his firm train treads fafely o'er the field. 
 
B O O K V. 159 
 
 While thefe fierce toils the penfive chief defcried, 
 With anxious thought he thus addrefs'd the guide : 
 Thefe numerous throngs, in robes of white array 'd, 
 From Gallia's fhores the peaceful bounds invade, 
 And there Britannia's ftandard waves fublime, 
 In crimfon pomp to fhield the friendly clime. 
 Why here, in vengeance, roll the furious bands ? 
 And flrow 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 ? 
 No living laurel for their fubjecls flain ? 
 NorBelgia'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 ? 
 That infant empires here the rage muft feel, 
 And thefe pure ftreams with foreign carnage fwell. 
 But who the chief, that clofed in firm array 
 The baffled legions and reflcred the day ? 
 There fhines, in veteran fkill and youthful charms, 
 The boaft of nature and the pride of arms. 
 
 The Power replied ; In each fucccfflve age, 
 Their different views thy varying race engage. 
 Here roll the year?, when Albion's generous hod. 
 Leagued with thy children, guard the invaded coall ; 
 That infant ftates their veteran force may train, 
 And nobler toils in later fields iuftain j 
 
i6d B O O K V. 
 
 When future foes fuperior banners wave, 
 The realms to ravage and the race enflave. 
 Here toils brave Albion with the fons of Gauls 
 Here haplefs Braddock finds his deftined fall ; 
 Thy greateft fori, in that young martial frame. 
 From yon loft field begins a life of fame. 
 Tis he, in future ftrife and darker days, 
 Defponding ftates to fovereign rule (hall raife 5 
 When the weak empire, in his arm, mall find 
 The fword, the fhield, the bulwark of mankind. 
 
 The Seraph (poke; when thro' the purpled air, 
 The northern fquadrons fpread the flames of war : 
 O'er dim Champlain, and thro' furrounding groves* 
 Rafh Abercrcmbie, mid his thoufands, moves 
 To fierce unequal ftrife ; the batteries roar, 
 Shield the grim foes and rake the banner'd fhore 3 
 His fainting troops the dreadful conteft yielg', 
 And heaps of carnage ftrow the fatal field. 
 
 While glorious Amherft on a diftant ifle, 
 Leads a bold legion, and renews the toil ; 
 High flame the fhips, the billows, fwell with gore, 
 And the red ftandarci (hades the conquer'd fhore. 
 
 And lo, aBritifh hoft, unbounded fpread, 
 O'er fealike Laurence, calls a moving fnade ; 
 On leflfening tides, they hold their fearlefs flight, 
 Till rocky walls falute their longing fight. 
 They tread the fhore, the arduous conflict claim, 
 Rife the tall mountain, like a rolling; flame, 
 
B O O-K V. 161 
 
 Stretch their wide wings in circling onfet far, 
 And move to right, as clouds of heaven at war. 
 The fmoke falls folding thro' the downward iky, 
 And fhrouds the mountain from the hero's eye ; 
 While on the burning top, in open day, 
 The flaming fwords, in fiery arches, play. 
 As on a ridgy ftorm, in terrors driven, 
 The forky flames curl round the vault of heaven, 
 The thunders break, the buriting torrents flow, 
 And flood the air, and whelm the hills below ; 
 Or, as on plains of light, when Michael (trove, 
 And fwords of Cherubim to combat move -, 
 Ten thoufand fiery forms together play, 
 And flam new lightning on empyreal day. 
 
 Long raged promifcuous combat, half conceal'd >, 
 When fudden parle fufpended all the field ; 
 Thick groans fucceed, the cloud forfakes the plain, 
 And the high hill is topp'd with heaps of flain. 
 Now, proud in air, the conquering ftandard waved, 
 And fhouting hods proclaim'd a country faved ; 
 While, calm and filent, 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 ; 
 Required no more to drive the fhades away, 
 Nor waits to view the glories of the day. 
 
 Again the towns afpire, the cultured field 
 And blooming vale their copious treafures yield ; 
 
 X' 
 

 i6i BOO K. V. 
 
 The grateful hind his cheerful labour proves, 
 And fongs of triumph fill the warbling groves - x 
 The confcious flocks, returning joys that fhare, 
 Spread thro* the midland, o'er the walks of war: 
 When, borne on eaftern winds, dark vapors rife, 
 And fail and lengthen round the weftern fkies ; 
 Veil all the vifion from his anxious fight, 
 And wrap the climes in univerfal night. 
 
 The hero grieved, 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 fo foon their end ? 
 Where then the word of Heaven, Mine eyes mould fee 
 That half mankind mould owe their blifs to me ? 
 
 The Power replied ; Ere long, in happier view, 
 The realms mall brighten, and thy joys renew. 
 The years advance, when round the thronging more, 
 They rife confufed to change the fource of power ; 
 When Albion's Prince, that fway'd the happy land, 
 Shall ftretch, to lawlefs rule, the fovereign hand ; 
 To bind in flavery's chains the peaceful hod, 
 Their rights unguarded and their charters loft. 
 Now raife thine eye ; from this delufive claim, 
 What glorious deeds adorn their growing fame ! 
 
 Columbus look'd j and ftill around them fpread, 
 From fouth to north, the immeafurable made > 
 At lad, the central fhadows burft away, 
 And rifing regions open'd on the day. 
 
 
BOOK V. 163 
 
 He faw, once more, bright Del'ware's filver ftream 
 And Penn's throng'd city call a cheerful gleam ; 
 The dome of (late, that met his eager eye, 
 Now heaved its arches in a loftier fky -, 
 The burfting gates unfold ; and lo, within, 
 A folemn train, in confcious glory, fhine. 
 The well-known forms his eye had traced before, 
 In different realms along the extended fhore ; 
 Here, graced with nobler fame, and robed in flate, 
 They look'd and moved magnificently great. 
 High on the foremoft feat, in living light, 
 Majeftic Randolph caught the hero's fight : 
 Fair on his head, the civic crown was placed, 
 And the firit dignity his fceptre graced. 
 He opes the caufe, and points in profpect far, 
 Thro' all the toils that wait the impending war- 
 But, haplefs fage, thy reign mud foon be o'er, 
 To lend thy luftre and to fhine no more. 
 So the bright morning ftar, from fhades of even, 
 Leads up the dawn, and lights the front of heaven, 
 Points to the waking world the fun's broad way, 
 Then veils his own and fhines above the day. 
 And fee great Wafhington behind thee rife, 
 Thy following fun, to gild our morning ikies ; 
 O'er fhadowy climes to pour the enlivening flame, 
 The charms of freedom and the fire of fame. 
 The afcending chief adorn'd his fplendid feat, 
 Like Randolph, enfign'd with a crown of flate ; 
 
i6 4 B O O K V. 
 
 Where the green 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; 
 
 But fovereign fortitude his vifage bore, 
 
 To meet their legions on the invaded fhore. 
 
 Sage Franklin next arofe, in awful mein, 
 And fmikd, unruffledj o'er the approaching fcene 5 
 High on his locks of age a wreath was braced, 
 Palm of all arts, that e're a mortal graced; 
 Beneath him lies the fceptre kings have borne, 
 And crowns and laurels from their temples torn. 
 Nafh, Rutledge, JefFerfon, in council great, 
 And Jay and Laurens oped the rolls of fate ; 
 The Livingftons, fair Freedom's generous band, 
 The Lees, the Houilons, fathers of the land, 
 O'er climes and kingdoms turn'd their ardent eyes, 
 Bade all the opprefs'd to fpeedy vengeance rife ; 
 All powers of irate, in their extended plan, 
 Rife from confent to fhield the rights of man. 
 Bold Wolcott urged the all-important caufe ; 
 With fteady hand the folemn fcene he draws ; 
 Undaunted fiimnefs with his wifdomjoin'd, 
 Nor kings nor worlds could warp his fledfaft mind. 
 
 Now, graceful rifing from his purple throne, 
 . In radiant robes, immortal Hofmer (hone; 
 Myrtles and bays his learned temples bound, 
 The flatefman's wreath the poet's garland crown'd, 
 
B O O K V. 165 
 
 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 deicend 
 The guide of nations and the Mufcs' friend. 
 Columbus dropp'd a tear ; the Angel's eye 
 Traced the freed fpirit mounting thro' the fky. 
 
 Adams, enraged, a broken charter bore, 
 And lawlefs acts of minifterial power ; 
 Some injured right, in each loofe leaf appears, 
 A king in terrors and a land in tears ; 
 From all the guileful plots the veil he drew, 
 With eye retortive look'd creation thro', 
 Oped the wide range of nature's boundlefs plan, 
 Traced all the fleps of liberty and man j 
 Crouds rofe to vengeance while his accents rung, 
 And Independence thunder'd from his tongue. 
 
 The hero turn'd. And tow'rd the crouded coaft, 
 Rofe on the wave a wide-extended hoft, 
 They made the main and fpiead their fails abroad, 
 From the wide Laurence to the Georgian flood, 
 Point their black batteries to the approaching ihore, 
 And burfting flames begin the hideous roar. 
 
 Where guardlefs Falmouth, looking o'er the bay, 
 Beheld, unmoved, the ftormy thunders play, 
 The fire begins ; the (hells o'er-arching fly, 
 And fhoot a thouiand rainbows thro* the fky ; 
 
166 B O O K V. 
 
 On Charleftown fpires, on Briftol roofs, they light, 
 Groton and Fairfield kindle from the flight, 
 Pair Kingfton burns, and York's delightful fanes, 
 And beauteous Norfolk lights the neighbouring plains; 
 From realm to realm, the fmoky volumes bend, 
 Reach round the bays and up the flreams extend ; 
 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 fpires ; 
 Cinders, high-failing, kindle heaven around, 
 And falling ftru£tures Hiake the fmouldering ground. 
 Now, where the fheeted flames thro' Charleftown roar 
 And laming waves hifs round the burning more, 
 Thro* the deep folding fires, a neighbouring height 
 Thunders o'er all and feems a field of fieht. 
 Like fnadowy phantoms in an evening grove. 
 To the dark ilrife the clofing fquadrons move ; 
 They join, they break, they thicken thro' the air, 
 And blazing batteries burft along the war ; 
 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, whole ranks together turn, 
 And the long lightnings from their pieces burn, 
 There, fcattering flafhes light the fcanty train, 
 And broken fquadrons tread the moving plain, 
 Britons in frefh battalions rife the height, 
 And, with increafing vollies, give the fight. 
 
BOOK V. 167 
 
 Till, fmear'd with clouds of dud, and bath'd in gore, 
 As growing foes their raifed artillery pour, 
 Columbia's hofts move o'er the fields afar, 
 And fave, by flow retreat, the fad remains of war. 
 There ftrides bold Putnam, and from all the plains, 
 Calls the tired hoft, the tardy rear fuftains, 
 And, mid the whizzing deaths that fill the air, 
 Waves back his fword and dares the following war. 
 
 Thro' falling fires, Columbus fees remain 
 Half of each hoft in heaps promifcuous (lain ■, 
 While dying crouds the lingering life-blood pour, 
 And flippery fteeps are trod with prints of gore. 
 There, haplefs Warren, thy cold earth was feen, 
 There ipring thy laurels in immortal green ■, 
 Deareft of chiefs, that ever prefs'd the plain, 
 In Freedom's caufe, with early honours, (lain, 
 Still dear in death, as when in fight you moved, 
 By hofts applauded and by Heaven approved ; 
 The faithful Mufe fhall tell the world thy fame, 
 And unborn realms refound the immortal name. 
 
 Now, from all plains, as fmoky wreaths decay, 
 Unnumber'd fhapes flare forward to the affray ; 
 Tall, thro' the leffening fhadows, half conceaPd, 
 They glide and gather in a central field ± [they ftand, 
 There, ftretch'd immenfe, like lengthening groves 
 Eye the dark foe and eager flrife demand. 
 
 High in the frowning front, exalted fhone 
 A hero, pointing tow'rd the half- feen fun 5 
 
168 BOOK V. 
 
 As, thro' the mid the burfting fplendors glow, 
 
 And light the pafTage to the diftant foe ; 
 
 His waving fteel returns the living day, 
 
 Clears the broad plains and marks the warrior's way $ 
 
 The long, deep fquadrons range in order bright, 
 
 And move impatient for the promifed fight. 
 
 When great Columbus faw the chief arife, 
 And his bold blade caft lightning on the fkics, 
 He traced the form that met his view before, 
 On drear Ohio's defolaced more. 
 Matured with years, with nobler glory warm* 
 Fate in his eye, and vengeance on his arm, 
 The gi-eat Obferver here with joy beheld 
 The hero moving in a broader Meld. 
 Unnumber'd chiefs around their leader ftandj 
 Fired by his voice, and guided by his hand, 
 Now on his fteps their raptured eye-balls glow, 
 And now roll dreadful on the approaching foe. 
 
 There rofe brave Greene, in all the ftrength of arms. 
 Unmoved 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, conlpicuous o'er the croud, 
 The daring port of great Montgomery ftrode ; 
 Bared the bright blade, with honour's call elate, 
 Claim'd the firft field, and haften'd to his fate. 
 Calm Lincoln next, with unafTc&ed rnein, 
 In dangers daring, active and ferene, 
 
BOOt V. 169 
 
 Carelefsof pomp, with fteady greatnefs fhone, 
 
 Sparing of others' blood and liberal of his own. 
 
 Heath, for the impending ftrife, his falchion draws ; 
 
 And fearlefs Woofter aids the facred caufe. 
 
 There flood (tern 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; 
 
 While brave M c Dougall, fteady and fedate, 
 
 Stretch'd the nerved arm to ope the fcene of fate. 
 
 Howe moved with rapture to the toils of fame, 
 
 And Schuyler ftill adorn'd an honour'd name ■, 
 
 Parfons and Small wood lead their daring bands, 
 
 And bold St. Clair in front of thoufands ftands. 
 
 There gallant Knox his moving engines brings, 
 
 Mounted and graved, * the loft rejort of kings ; 
 
 The long, black rows in dreadful order wait, 
 
 Their grim jaws gaping foon to utter fate ; 
 
 When, at his word, the red-wing'd clouds mall rife. 
 
 And the deep thunders rock the fhores and fkies. 
 
 Beneath a waving fword, in blooming prime, 
 
 Fayette moves graceful, ardent and fublime -, 
 
 In foreign guife, in freedom's noble caufe, 
 
 His untried blade the youthful hero draws ; 
 
 On the great chief his eyes in tranfpor: roll, 
 
 And fame and Wafhington infpire his foul. 
 
 * Ultima ratio regum ; a device of Louis XIV. engraved on his 
 )rdnance. 
 
17? BOOK 
 
 
 Steuben advanced, in veteran armour dreli, 
 The noble enftgn beaming on his bread j 
 From rank to rank, in eager hafte, he flew, 
 And marfhall'd hofts in dread arrangement drew* 
 Morris, in aid, with open coffers Hood, 
 And Wadfworth, patron of the brave and good. 
 While other chiefs and heirs of deathlefs fame 
 Rife into fight, and equal honours claim; 
 But who can tell the dew-drops of the morn ? 
 Or count the rays that in the diamond burn ? 
 
 Now, the broad field as gathering fquadrons fliade, 
 The fun's glad beam their fhining ranks difplay'd; 
 The glorious leader waved his glittering fteel, 
 Bade the long train in circling order wheel > 
 And while the banner'd hofts around him roll, 
 Thus into thoufands fpeaks the warrior's foul a 
 
 Ye patriot chiefs, and every daring band, 
 That lift the fteel or tread the invaded ilrand, 
 Behold the tails: ! thefe beauteous realms to fave 3 
 Or yield whole nations to an inftant grave. 
 See the dark fquadrons moving to the fhore, 
 Hear, from all ports, their boafted thunders roar * 
 O'er bloody plains, from Charleftown-heights, they 
 O'er far Champlain they lead their northern way,[ftra} 
 Virginian banks behold their dreamers glide, 
 And hoftile navies load each fcuthern tide. 
 Beneath their fteps your fmouldering temples lie, 
 And wreaths of fmoke o'ereaft the reddening Iky 
 
 
 
BOOK V. 171 
 
 With eager ftride they tempt a nobler prize ; 
 Thefe boundlefs empires feaft their envious eyes ; 
 They fee your fields to lordly manors turn'd, 
 Your children butcher d and your villas burn'd j 
 While following millions, thro* the reign of time. 
 That claim their birth in this indulgent clime, 
 Bend the weak knee, in fervile chains confined ; 
 And floth and ftavery overwhelm mankind. 
 
 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 ! 
 Reverfe the fate, avenge the infulted fky ; 
 Move to the ftrife, we conquer or we die. 
 
 While thus he fpoke, the furious files advance, 
 And fiercer lightnings o'er the champaign dance. 
 At once, the different fkirts are wheel'd, afar, 
 In different realms, to meet thediftant war. 
 
 With his dread hoft, Montgomery ifiues forth, 
 And Jights his pafTage thro' the dufky north ; 
 O'er dreams and lakes his conquering banners play, 
 Navies and forts, furrendering, mark his way; 
 Thro* defert wilds, o'er rocks and fens, they go, 
 And hills before them, lofe their craggs in fnow -, 
 Unbounded toils they brave -, when rife in fight 
 Quebec's dread walls, and Wolfe's ftill dreary height ; 
 They climb the fleep, he eyes the turrets round, 
 With piked hofts and dark artillery crown'd, 
 
[72 B O O K V. 
 
 The daring onfet points -, and, high in air, 
 O'er rocky ramparts leads the dreadful war. 
 As wreaths of morning mid afcend on high 
 Up the tall mountain's fide, and reach the iky, 
 So rofe the rapid hoft ; the walls are red 
 With flaming flames ; down roll the heaps of dead ; 
 Now back recoil the ranks, o'er fquadrons (lain, 
 And leave their leader, with a fcanty train, 
 Clofed in the circling terrors of the wall, 
 Where round his arm the hoftile legions fall. 
 Through the wide flreets, collecting from afar, 
 The foes in fhouting fquadrons urged the war ; 
 The fmoke convolved, the thunders rock'd around^ 
 And the brave hero preft the gorey ground. 
 Another Wolfe Columbus here beheld, 
 In youthful charms, a foul undaunted yield ; 
 But loft, o'erpower'd, his hardy hoft remains, 
 Stretch'd by his fide, or led in captive chains. 
 Now the bright Angel turn'd the hero's eye, 
 In other realms, where other ftandards fly; 
 Where the great leader, mid furrounding foes, 
 Still greater rifes, as the danger grows $ 
 And wearied ranks, o'er weltering warriors (lain, 
 Attend his courfe thro' many a crimlbn'd plain. 
 From Hudfon's banks, along the dreary ftrand, 
 He guards in firm retreat, his feeble band ; 
 While countlefs foes, with Britifli Howe advance;, 
 Bend o'er his rear and point the lifted lance 5 
 
B O O K V. 173 
 
 O'er Del'ware's frozen wave, with fcanty force, 
 He lifcs the fword and points the backward courfe, 
 Wings the dire vengeance on the fhouting train, 
 And leads whole fquadrons in the captive chain ; 
 Where vaunting foes to half their numbers yield, 
 Tread back the flight, or prefs the fatal field. 
 While, mid the furious ftrife, brave Mercer ilrode, 
 And feal'd the victory with his ftreaming blood. 
 
 Now, where dread Laurence mingles with the main, 
 Rofe, on the widening wave, a hoftile train : 
 From more to more, along the unfolding ikies, 
 Beneath full fails, the approaching fquadrons rife ; 
 High waving on the right, red banners dance, 
 And Britifh legions o'er the decks advance; 
 While at their fide an azure flag, difplay'd, 
 Leads a long hoft, in German robes array'd. 
 Tall on the boldeft bark, fuperior fhone 
 A warrior, enfign'd with a various crown ; 
 Myrtles and laurels equal honours join'd, 
 Which arms had purchafed and the Mufes twined j 
 His fword waved forward, and his ardent eye 
 Seem'd maring empires in the fouthern fky. 
 Befide him rofe a herald, to proclaim 
 His various honours, titles, feats and fame ; 
 Who raifed an opening fcroll, where proudly fhone 
 Pardon to realms and nations yet unknown, 
 
 Champlain receives the congregated hoft, 
 And his dark waves, beneath the fails, are loft ; 
 
?74 b o O K y. 
 
 St. Clair beholds ; and, with his fcanty train, 
 in firm retreat, o'er many a fatal plain, [foree, 
 
 Lures their wild march. — Wide moves their furious 
 Where 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 
 Till, where deep Hudfon's winding waters ftray, [field. 
 A yeoman hoft oppofed their rapid way ; 
 There on a towery height brave Gates arofe, 
 Waved the blue fleel and dared the headlong foes ; 
 Undaunted Lincoln, moving at his fide, [wide j 
 Urged the dread ftrife, and fpread the fquadrons 
 Now roll, like winged ftorms, the lengthening lines, 
 The clarion thunders and the battle joins ; 
 Thick flames, in yollied flames, fill the air, 
 And echoing mountains give the noife of war ; 
 The clouds rife reddening, round the dreadful height^ 
 And veil the fkies and wrap the founding fight. 
 Now, in the fkirt of night, 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 ; 
 To the glad holds precipitate retire, 
 And wide behind them dreams the flafhing fire. 
 
 Scarce moved the fmokc above the gorey height, 
 And oped the daughter to the hero's fight j 
 Back to their fate, when baffled fquadrons flew, 
 Refumed their rage and pour'd the flrife anew, 
 
 , 
 
BOOK V. 275 
 
 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, the trembling thoufands yield/ 
 When bold Burgoyne, in one difaftrous day, 
 Sees future crowns and former wreaths decay ; 
 While two illuftrious armies fhade the plain, 
 The mighty victors and the captive train, 
 
THE 
 
 VISION of COLUMBUS, 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 

 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Co aft of France rijes in vifion. Character andfpeech of 
 Louis. Spain, Holland, the northern Powers, Ger- 
 many, Ireland, varioufly affecled by the affairs of A- 
 merle a. Battle of Monmouth. Ac! ions of Lincoln. 
 Movements of Cornwallis. Progrefs of Greene. 
 French and American armies move toward Virginia. 
 Naval aclion of Be Grajfe and Graves* Capture of 
 Cornwallis. 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS, 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 X HUS view'd the fage. When, lo, in eaftern Ikies, 
 From glooms unfolding, Gallia's coafts arife. 
 Bright o'er the fcenes of (late, a golden throne, 
 Inftarr'd with gems and hung with purple, fhone. 
 Great Louis there, the pride of monarchs, fate, 
 And fleets and moving armies round him wait ; 
 O'er weiiern fhores extend his ardent eyes, 
 Thro' glorious toils where ftruggling nations rife ; 
 Each virtuous deed, each new illuftrious name, 
 Wakes in his foul the living light of fame. 
 He fees the liberal, univerfal caufe, 
 That wondering worlds in flill attention draws ; 
 And marks, beyond, through weftern walks of day. 
 Where midnight funs their happier beams difplay, 
 What fires of unborn nations claim their birth, 
 And alk their empires in that wafte of earth. 
 
 Then o'er the eaftern world he turn'd his eye ; 
 Where, funk in (lavery haplefs kingdoms lie; 
 Saw realms exhaufted to enrich a throne, 
 Their fruits untafted and their rights unknown : 
 
180 BOOK VI. 
 
 A tear of pity fpoke his melting mind- 
 He raifed his fceptre to relieve mankind, 
 Eyed the great father of the Bourbon name, 
 Awaked his virtues and recall'd his fame. 
 
 Fired by the grandeur of the fplendid throne, 
 Illuftrious chiefs and councils round him fhone ; 
 On the glad youth with kindling joy they gaze, 
 The rifing heir of univerfal praife. 
 Vergennes rofe itately o'er the noble throng, 
 And fates of nations on his accents hung ; 
 Columbia's wrongs his indignation fired, 
 And generous thoughts his glowing bread inipired ; 
 To aid her infant toils his counfel moved, 
 In freedom founded and by Heaven approved. 
 While other peers, in facred virtue bold, 
 With eager voice the coming fcenes unfold ; 
 Surrounding heroes wait the monarch's word, 
 In foreign fields to draw the glittering fword, 
 Prepared with joy to trace the diftant main, 
 Mix in the flrife and join the martial train ; 
 Who now afiert the rights of fovereign power, 
 And build new empires on the weftern more. 
 
 O'er all, the approving monarch call a look, 
 And liftening nations trembled while he fpoke. 
 Ye irates of France, and, ye of rifing name, 
 That work thofe diftant miracles of fame, 
 Hear and attend ; let Heaven the witnefs bear, 
 We lift the fword, we aid the righteous war. 
 
BOOK VI. 181 
 
 Let leagues eternal bind each friendly land, 
 Given by our voice, and 'ftablinYd by our hand - 3 
 Let yon extenfive empire fix her fway, 
 And fpread her bleflings with the bounds of day\ 
 Yet know, ye nations, hear, ye Powers above, 
 Our purpofed aid no views of conqueft move j 
 In that vaft world, revives no ancient claim 
 Of regions peopled by the Gallic name ; 
 Our envied bounds, already ftretch'd afar, 
 >Ior afk the fword, nor fear the rage of war ; 
 kit Virtue, ftruggling with the vengeful Power, 
 T\iat (tains yon fieldj and defolates that Ihore, 
 VMth nature's foes bids former compact ceafe ; 
 Wtwar reluctant, and cur wifli is peace ; 
 To iu fieri ng nations be the fuccour given, 
 The caufe of nations is the caufe of Heaven. 
 
 He fpoke ; the moving armies fhade the plain, 
 A\d bold D'Eftaing rode bounding on the main; 
 O-r lands and feas, the loud applaufes rung, 
 Aru War and Union dwelt on every tongue. 
 
 Aid now Columbus, tow'rd his favourite fky, 
 Saw ails and ftores and chiefs and armies fly -, 
 Thro clouds of fmoke, and ftain'd with dreaming 
 Contending navies fpread their wings abroad, [blood, 
 Europe, from all her fhores, approves the fight, 
 Ind balanced empires wait the finifh'd fight. 
 
 Now circling far, above the labouring main, 
 kfe into view the extended coafts of Spain ; 
 
182 BOO K VI. 
 
 He faw bold barks their warlike engines wield, 
 New fquadrons courfing round thebanner'd field; 
 Where Gallic ftreamers o'er the main advance, 
 TheHifpanian flags in wonted union dance; 
 Round the deep gulph, that fair Floridia laves. 
 In martial pride, their conquering ftandard waves j 
 While, thro' the entrance of the midland fea, 
 Encountering fails and hofiiie banners play. 
 
 And now the level ftrand, extending wide, 
 That opes the bufy Texel's loaded tide, 
 Rofe brightening from the gloom; beneath his -ye, 
 Famed Belgia's temples glitter to the fky. 
 Sudden, the afiembled States new glory warms. 
 Their mips collect, their thoufands, rum to arfls, 
 And, roufed by conquering Rodney to prepare 
 In foreign feas, to meet the fweeping war ; 
 Lift bolder wings, in fign of rage, unfurl'd, 
 And vengeance bears them round the watery weld. 
 
 Where waves and mountains ikirt the norther, iky, 
 New fcencs afcending met the hero's eye. 
 Increaflng fplendors up the vault afpire, 
 Like boreal lights, the midnight heavens tha fire; 
 And raife to view the Baltic's gleaming wave 
 Whofe opening ftreams furrounding cities We. 
 Fair on her throne, revolving diflant fate, 
 Imperial Katharine majeftic fate ; 
 Courts throng around her, kings and heroes ftand 
 Receiving fwords and fceptres from her hand. 
 
BOOK VL *83 
 
 She waits the day, and bids the nations reft, 
 Till that new empire, fifing in the well, 
 Shall fheathe the fword, the liberal main afcend, 
 And, join'd with her, the fcale of power fufpend; 
 Bid arts arife, and vengeful factions ceafe, 
 And commerce lead touniverfal peace. 
 
 Chriftiern, amid his waves, exalted high, 
 On the great emprefs cad a reverent eye ; 
 While Sweden's prince obeys her fovereign word, 
 And aged Frederic half affumes his fword. 
 Where wide Germania's opening towers arife* 
 Immortal Jofeph lifts his ardent eyes. 
 High in a golden car, he Hands fublime, 
 Late borne difguifed to every diftant clime, 
 The powers, the policies of every throne 
 He mark'd, unnoticed, and by all unknown ; 
 Now, mid his fplendid court, his travels o'er, 
 With eyes directed tow'rd the weftern fhore, 
 The monarch learns, from that illuftrious train, 
 To fhare with liberal hand the bounties of his reign. 
 
 Where fair Hibernia's flowery circuit lies, 
 Her glad fails wave and gathering armies rife. 
 Leinfter and Grattan there aflert her claim, 
 And raife the realm to freedom and to fame. 
 
 Thus all the eaftern world, in glad amaze, 
 Gaze on the fcene and brighten as they gaze -, 
 Wake to new life, aftume a borrow'd flame. 
 Enlarge the luftre and partake the fame* 
 
184 BOOK VI. 
 
 So mounts of ice, that polar fides invade, 
 Unheeded ftand beneath the evening ihade ; 
 Yet, when the morning lights their glaring throne, 
 Give back the day and imitate the fun. 
 
 The growing conteft now, with loud alarms, 
 FilTd every clime and roufed the world to arms. 
 Where Indian borders fkirt the orient fkies, 
 To furious ftrife unwonted myriads rife ; 
 Great Hyder, there, unconquerably bold, 
 Bids vengeance move and freedom's flag unfold -, 
 Fires the wide realms t' afifert their ancient fway ; 
 And fcourge fierce Britons from their lawlefs prey. 
 Round the rich ifles that grace the Atlantic tide. 
 In dread array the encountering navies ride ; 
 Where Albion's treafures yield a wealthier prize, 
 And o'er her walls the Gallic ftandards rife. 
 
 Still to frefh toils, o'er all the weftern fnore, 
 Her thronging fleets their new battalions pour ; 
 The realms unconquer'd frill their terrors wield, 
 And fLL ..\th mingled gore the embattled field. 
 O'er Schuylkill's wave, to various fight they move. 
 And adverfe nations equal (laughter prove -, 
 Till, where dread Monmouth lifts a bloomy height, 
 Britannia's thoufands met the Obferver's fight. 
 There ftrode imperious Clinton o'er the field, 
 And marfhall'd hofts for ready combat held. 
 As the dim fun, beneath the fkirts of even, 
 Crimfons the clouds that fail the weftern heaven j 
 
6 O O K VI. tij 
 
 So, in red wavy rowSj where fpread the train 
 
 Of men and ftandards, fhone the unmeafured plain. 
 
 But now the chief of heroes moved in fight, 
 And the long ranks roll forward to the fight ; \ 
 
 He points the charge, the mounted thunders roar, 
 And plough the plain, and rock the diftant fhore. 
 Above the folds of fmoke, that veil'd the war, 
 His guiding fword illumed the fields of air; 
 The vollied flames, that burft along the plain, 
 Break the deep clouds and (how the piles of flain j 
 Till flight begins 3 the fmoke is roll'd away, 
 And the red ftandards open into day. 
 Britons and Germans hurry from the field, 
 Now wrapp'd in duft, and now to fight reveal'd j 
 Behind, great Wafhington his falchion drives, 
 Thins the pale ranks, and copious vengeance gives, 
 Hofts captive bow, and move behind his arm, 
 And hofts before him wing the driven ftorm ; 
 When the glad fhore falutes their fainting fight, 
 And thundering navies fcreen their rapid flight. 
 
 Thro* plains of death, that gleam with hoftile fires, 
 Brave Lincoln now to fouthern climes retires -, 
 Where o'er her ftreams beleagured Charlefton rofe, 
 The hero moves to meet the alTembled foes. 
 
 Shading the invaded ifle, on either flood, 
 Red ftandards waved and winged batteries rode 3 
 While, braving death his fcanty hoft remains, 
 And the dread ftrife with various fate fuftains* 
 
 A a 
 
186 B O O K VI. 
 
 High From the fable decks, the burfting fires 
 Sweep the full ftreets, andcleavethe glittering fpires. 
 Vaulted witlvflying flames, the burning air 
 Reddens with fhells and pours theetherial war; 
 The tented plain, where dauntlefs heroes tread, 
 Is torn with broken craggs and ftrow'd with dead. 
 Long crouds of fuppliants, round 'the gallant chief, 
 Raife their wild cries and pour theirrrantic grief; 
 Each "fhbwer of flames renews their ftartled woe, 
 They wall the ftrife, they dread the infuriate foe 
 The articled Fair, while tears bedew their charms, 
 Babes at their fide and infants in their arms, 
 With piercing ihrieks his guardian hand implore, 
 To fave them trembling from the -victor's power. 
 He fhares their anguifh with a moidening eye, 
 And bids the balls rain thicker thro' the fky ; 
 When a loft hero, in a neighbouring poil, 
 Gives a lone fonrefs'to the-approaching -hoft. 
 Now gathering thoufands croud around the ifle, 
 Threat wider vengeance and increafe the toil ; 
 On temper' d terms, great Lincoln yields the prize, 
 And plucks the-ftandard from the faddening Ikies. 
 
 The conquering legions now the champaign tread, 
 And tow'rd the riorth their fire and Ilaughterfp reads 
 Thro' towns and realms, where arming peafants fly, 
 The bold Oorn'waliis bears hisftahdard high -, 
 O'er many a field difplays his dreadful force, 
 And thoufands fall and thoufands aid' his courfeV 
 
BO O K VI. i Sj 
 
 While thro' the conquer'd lands, from every plain/ 
 The frefh battalions join his fplendid train. 
 So mountain ftreams, o'er climes of melting fnow, 
 Spread with encreafing waves, and whelm the world 
 The great Columbus, with an anxious ugh, [below. 
 Saw Britiili enfigns reaching round £he fky, 
 Saw defolarion whelm his favourite coaft, 
 His children fcatter'd and their vigor loft; 
 De Kalb in furious combat prefs the plain, 
 Morgan and Smaliwood various mocks fufrain ; 
 
 
 When Greene, in lonely greatnefs, role to view, 
 
 A few firm patriots to his ftandard drew ; 
 
 And, moving (lately to a rifing ground, 
 
 Bade the loud trump to fpeedy vengeance found ; 
 
 Fired by the voice, new fquadrons, from afar, 
 
 Croud to the hero and demand the war. 
 
 Round all the fh ores and plains he turn'd his eye; 
 
 Saw forts arife and .conquering banners fly : 
 
 The faddening fcene fufpends his rifing foul, 
 
 And fates of empires in his boibm roll. 
 
 With fcanty force where fhould he lift the fteel ? 
 
 While hoftin^ foes immeafurably wheel ; 
 
 Or how behold the boundlefs (laughter fpread : 
 
 Himfelf ftand idle and his country bleed ? 
 
 A (llent moment, thus the .hero flood, 
 And held his warriors from the field of blood ; 
 Then points the Britiili legions where, to roll, 
 Marks out their progrefs and defigns the whole. 
 
188 BOOK VI. 
 
 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 vi&ory to a nobler name -, 
 Gives to great Wafhington, to meet his way, 
 Nor claims the glories of fo bright a day. 
 
 Now to the conquer'd fputh with gathering force, 
 O'er fanguine plains he fhapes his rapid courfe ; 
 Forts fall around him $ hofts before him fly, 
 And captive bands his growing train fupply. 
 At length, far fpreading thro* a fatal field, 
 Collecting chiefs their circling armies wheeFd ; 
 Near Eutaw's fount, where, long renown'd for bloody 
 Pillars of ancient fame in triumph flood, 
 Britannia's fquadrons, ranged in order bright, 
 Stand, like a fiery wall, and wait the fhock of fight. 
 
 When o'er the diftant hill brave Greene arofe, 
 Eyed the far plain and view'd the glittering foes ; 
 Difpofed his fquadrons, form'd each folded train. 
 To lead the charge, or the wide wings fuftain, 
 Roufed all their rage fuperior force to prove, 
 Waved the bright blade, and bade the onfet move. 
 As hovering clouds, when morning beams arife, 
 Hang their red curtains round the eaftern fkies. 
 Unfold a fpace to hail the promifed fun, 
 And catch their fplendors from his rifing throne ; 
 Thus glow'd the approaching fronts,whofe fleely glare 
 -Glanced o'er the hideous interval of war. 
 
BOOK VI. 189 
 
 Now roll with kindling hade the rapid lines, 
 From wing to wing the founding battle joins ; 
 Batteries, and fofTes wide, and ranks of fire, 
 In mingled mocks, their thundering blafts expire : 
 Beneath the fmoke, when firm advancing bands, 
 With piked arms bent forward in their hands, 
 In dreadful filence tread. As, wrapp'd from fight, 
 The nightly ambufh moves to fecret fight ; 
 So rum the raging files, and fightlefs clofe, 
 In plunging drife, with fierce conflicting foes ; 
 They reach, they ftrike, they druggie o'er the (lain, 
 Deal heavier blows, and ftrow with death the plain ; 
 Ranks crufh on ranks, with equal flaughter gored, 
 While dripping dreams, from every lifted fword, 
 Stain the thin carnaged hods ; who dill maintain, 
 With mutual fhocks, the vengeance of the plain. 
 Till, where brave Williams drove and Campbell fell, 
 Unwonted ftrokes the Britifli force repel : 
 The rout begins -, the fhatter'd wings, afar, 
 Roll back in hade and fcatter from the war $ 
 They drop their arms, they fcour the marfhy field ; 
 Whole fquadrons fall and faint battalions yield. 
 
 O'er all the great Obferver fix'd his eye, 
 Mark'd the whole drife, beheld them fall and fly ; 
 He faw where Greene thro' all the combat drove, 
 And death and victory with his prefence move s 
 Beneath his arm, faw Marion pour the drife^ 
 Pickens and Sumner, prodigal of life; 
 
190 BOOK VI. 
 
 He faw young Wafliington, the child of fame, 
 Preferve in fight the honours of his name ; 
 Brave Lee, in pride of youth, and veteran might 
 Swept the dread field, and put whole troops to flight; 
 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 ; 
 When o'er the main, from Gallia's crouded fhore, 
 To the glad ftrife a heft of heroes pour. 
 On the tall (haded decks the leaders (land, 
 View leflening waves and hail the approaching ftrand* 
 Brave Rochambeau, in gleamy fxeel array'd, 
 The afcending fcenes with eag?r joy furvey'd ; 
 Saw Wafhington, amid his thoufands, ftride, 
 And long'd to toil and conquer by his fide. 
 Great Chaftelleux, with philofophic vfew x 
 Mark'd the glad prize that rifmg realms purfue j 
 Intent in thought, his glowing bofom w r arms, 
 To grace the walks of fcienceand of arms. 
 Two brother chiefs, in rival luftre, rofe, 
 Rear'd the long lance, and claim'd the field of foes ; 
 The bold Viominils, of equal fame, 
 And eager both t' exalt the noble name. 
 Lauzon, beneath his fail, in armour bright 
 Frown'd o'er the wave, impatient for the fight ; 
 A fiery deed befide the hero flood, 
 And his broad blade waved forward o'er the croud. 
 
BOOK VI. 191 
 
 And now, with eager hade, they tread the coaft ; 
 Thro' grateful regions lead the veteran holt ; 
 Hail the great chief, beneath his banners join, 
 Demand the foe and bid the ft rife begin. 
 
 Again Columbus caft his anxious eye, 
 Where the red ftandard waved along the fky ; 
 And, graced with fpoils of many a field of bloody 
 The bold Cornwallis on a bulwark ftood. 
 O'er conquer'd provinces and towns in flame, 
 He mark'd his recent monuments of fame, 
 High raifed in air, his hands fecurely hold, 
 With confcious pride, a fheet of cypher'd gold ; 
 There, in delufive hafte, his (kill had graved 
 A clime fubdued, a flag in triumph waved : 
 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 j 
 Bright palaces arife, relieved in gold, 
 And gates and ftreets the crofting lines unfold. 
 O'er all the mimic fcene, his fingers trace 
 His future feat and glory of his race. 
 
 While thus the raptured chief bis conquefts view'd, 
 And gazing thoufands round the rampart ftood, 
 Whom future eafe and golden dreams employ, 
 The longs- of triumph and the fealt of joy ; 
 Sudden, great Wafhington arofe in view, 
 And union'd flags his ftately fteps purfue ; 
 
iol BOOK VI. 
 
 Bleft Gallia's bands and young Columbia's pride, 
 Bend the long march and glitter at his fide. 
 
 Now on the wave the warring fleets advance, 
 And different enfigns o'er their pinions dance ; 
 From northern (bores, great Albion's flag, unfurl'd, 
 Waved proud defiance to the watery world ; 
 While, from the fouthern ifles, a daring train, 
 With Gallic banners; fhadesthe billowy main. 
 Here brave De GraiTe in awful fplendor, rode, 
 And there flern Graves a rival fplendor fhow'd. 
 
 The approaching fails, as far as eye can fweep, 
 Lo©k thro' the fkies and fhade the fhuddering deep. 
 As, when the winds of heaven, from each far pole, 
 Their adverfe ftorms acrofs the concave roll, 
 The fleecy vapor's thro' the expanfion run, 
 Veil the blue vault and tremble o'er the fun j 
 Till the dark folding wings together drive, 
 Andjridg'd with nres,and rock'd with thunder$,ftnve; 
 So, bearing thro' the void, at firft appear 
 White clouds of canvafs,- floating on the air ; 
 Then frown the approaching fronts; the fails are laid,. 
 And the black decks extend a dreadful fhade ; 
 While rolling flames and tides of fmoke arife, 
 And thundering cannons rock the feas and ikies. 
 Where the long burfting fires the cloud difclofe, 
 Hofts heave in fight and blood the decks o'er-flows;. 
 There, from the ftrife, toft navies rife to view, 
 Drive back to vengeance and the toil renew -, 
 
BOOK VI. 193 
 
 Here, 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, 
 And a long line afcended into day ; 
 The pinions fweil'd, Britannia's flag arofe, 
 And flew the vengeance of triumphing foes. 
 When up the bay, Virginian lands that laves, 
 Great Gallia's line its conquering ftandard waves : 
 Where ftill dread Wafhin£ton ailumes the way, 
 And fleets and moving realms his voice obey ; 
 While the brave Briton, mid the gathering hoft, 
 Perceives his glories and his emoire loft. 
 
 The heaven-taught fage in this broad fcene beheld 
 His favourite fons the fates of nations wield -, 
 There joyous Lincoln ihone in arms again, 
 Nelfon and Knox moved ardent o'er the plain, 
 Unconquer'd Seammei, mid the clofing ftrife, 
 In light of victory, pour'd his gallant life; 
 While Gallic thoufands eager toils fufcain, 
 And death and danger brighten every train. 
 Where Tarleton ftrides, with hopes of flight elate, 
 Brave Liuzon moves, and drives him back to fate. 
 In one dread view, two chofen bands advance, 
 Columbia's veterans and the pride of France ; 
 Thefe bold Viominil exalts to fame, 
 And thole Fayette's conducting guidance claim. 
 
 B b 
 
194 BOOK VI. 
 
 They life the fword, with rival glory warm, 
 O'er piked ramparts pour the flaming dorm, 
 The mounted thunders brave, and lead the foe. 
 In captive fquadrons, to the plain below. 
 O'er all great Wafhington his arm extends, 
 Points every movement, every toil defends, 
 Bids clofer ftrife and bloodier ftrokes proceed, 
 New batteries blaze and heavier fquadrons bleed ; 
 Round the grim foe approaching banners rife, 
 And fhells like meteors vault the flaming fkies. 
 With dire tfifrrfay the Britifli chief beheld 
 The foe advance, his veterans quit the field ; 
 Defpair and (laughter when he turns his eye. 
 No hope in combat and no power to fly ; 
 There dread De Graflfe o'erfhades the loaded tide, 
 Here conquering thoufands all the champaign hide; 
 Fofles and batteries, growing on the fight, 
 Still pour new thunders and increafe the fight, 
 Shells rain before him, rock the ihores around, 
 And craggs and balls o'erturn the tented ground ; 
 From poll to poft, the driven ranks retire, 
 The earth in crimfon and the fkies on fire. 
 
 Now grateful truce fufpends the burning war, 
 And groans and fhouts, promifcuous, load the air; 
 When the pent fquadrons, where the fmokes decay, 
 Drop all their arms and move in open day. 
 Columbus faw the immeafurable train, 
 Thoufands on thoufands, redden all the plain; 
 
Book vl i 9S 
 
 Beheld the glorious Leader Hand fedate, 
 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. 
 Thus thro' the extremes of life, in every {late, 
 Shines the clear foul, beyond all fortune great ; 
 While fmaller minds, the dupes of fickle chance, 
 Slight woes o'erwhelm and fudden joys entrance. 
 So the full fun thro' all the changing fky, 
 Nor blafts, nor overpowers the naked eye ; 
 Tho' tranfient fplendors, borrow'd from his light, 
 Glance on the mirror and deftroy the fight. 
 
 He points brave Lincoln, as they move along, 
 To claim the triumph of the trembling throng ; 
 Who fees, once more, two armies fhade the plain, 
 The mighty viflors and the captive train. 
 

THE 
 
 VISION of COLUMBtf-S. 
 
 BOOK VII. 
 

 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Hymn to Peace. Progress of Arts in America, Furr- 
 trade. Fijheries. Productions and Commerce. E- 
 ducation. Pbilofopbical inventions. Painting. Po- 
 etry, 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK VII. 
 
 H 
 
 AIL facred Peace, who claim'ft thy bright abode, . 
 Mid circling faints that grace the throne of God* 
 Before his arm, around the fhapelefs earth, 
 Stretch'd the wide heavens and gave to nature birth j 
 Ere morning flars his glowing chambers hung,. 
 Or fongs of gladnefs woke an angel's tongue, . 
 Veil'd in the brightnefs of the Almighty's mind, 
 In bled repofe thy placid form reclined -, 
 Borne through the heavens with his creating voice, 
 Thy prefence bade the unfolding worlds rejoice, 
 Gave to feraphic harps their founding lays, 
 Their joys to angels, and to men their praife. [ftain, 
 From fcenes of blood, thefe beauteous mores that 
 From gafping friends that prefs the fanguine plain, 
 From fields, long taught in. vain thy flight to mourn, 
 I rife, delightful Power, and greet thy glad return. 
 Too long the groans of death, and battle's bray 
 Have rung difcordant through the unpleafing lay : 
 Let pity's tear its balmy fragrance fried, 
 O'er heroes' wounds and patriot warriors dead ; 
 
soo BOOK VII. 
 
 Accept, departed Shades, thefe grateful fighs, 
 Your fond attendants to the approving fkies. 
 
 And thou, my earlieft friend, my Brother dear, 
 Thy fall-untimely wakes the tender tear. 
 In youthful fports, in toils, in blood allied, 
 My kind companion and. my. hopeful guide, 
 When Heaven's fad fummons, from our infant eyes 
 Had cali'd our laft, loved parent to the fkies. 
 Tho' young in arms, and ftill obfcure thy name, 
 Thy bofpm panted for the deeds of fame, 
 Beneath Montgomery's eye, when, by thy fteel, 
 In northern wilds, the lurking favage fell.. 
 Yet,<iaplefs youth ! when thy gi;eat leader bled, 
 Thro* the fame wound thy parting fpirit fled. 
 
 But now the untunefuj trump fi;all grate no more, 
 Ye filver ftreams, 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 : 
 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 fway ; 
 To fee thy blifsful charms, that here defcend, 
 Through diftant realms and endlefs years extend. 
 
 To call new glories o'er the changing clime, 
 The Seraph now reverfed the flight of time ; 
 
BOOK VII. cioi 
 
 Roll'd back the years, that led their courfe before, 
 And ftretch'd immenfe the wild uncultured more ; 
 The paths of peaceful fcience raifed to view, [purfue. 
 And fhow'd the afcending crouds that ufeful arts 
 
 As o'er the canvafs, when the matter's mind, 
 Glows with a future landfcape, well defign'd, 
 While gardens, vales and ftreets and firuclures rife, 
 A new creation to his kindling eyes ; 
 He fmiles o'er all \ and, in delightful ftrife, 
 The pencil moves, and calls the whole to life. 
 So, while the great Columbus ftood fublLme, 
 And law wild nature clothe the tracklefs clime ; 
 The green banks heave, the winding currents pour, 
 The bays and harbours cleave the yielding fhore, 
 The champaigns fpread, the folemn groves arife, 
 And the rough mountains lengthen round the fides, 
 Through all the fcene, he traced with fkiilful ken 
 The unform'd feats and future walks of men 5 [play, 
 Mark'd where the fields mould bloom, andftreamers 
 And towns and empires claim their peaceful fways 
 When, fudden waken'd by the Angel's hand, 
 They rofe in pomp around the cultured land. 
 
 In weflern 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 cumberous burdens move ; 
 Where furrs and fkins, and all the exhauftlefs (lore 
 Of midland realms defcended to the fhore, 
 
 C c 
 
i02 BOOK VII. 
 
 Where fummer's Tuns, along the northern coail, 
 With feeble force difTolve the chains of frofl, 
 Prolific v/aves the fcaly nations trace, 
 And tempt the toils of man's laborious race. 
 Though rich Peruvian ilrands, beneath the tide, 
 Their rocks of pearl and fparkling pebbles hide; 
 Lured by the gaudy prize, the adventurous train 
 Plunge the dark deep and brave the furging main ; 
 Whole realms of Haves the dangerous labours dare, 
 To feud a fceptre or emblaze a liar : 
 Yet wealthier (lores thefe genial tides difplay, 
 And bufy throngs with nobler fpoils repay. 
 The hero faw the hardy holts advance, 
 Call the long line and aim the barbed lance ; 
 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 (hoals and fill the exhaufllefs tide. 
 
 Where fomhern dreams thro' broad favannahs bend, 
 The rice-clad vales their verdant rounds extend - y 
 Tobago's plant 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 ; 
 The wood-lands wide their flurdy honours bend, 
 The pines, the live-oaks to the fhores defcend ; 
 Along the ftrand unnumber'd keels arife, 
 The huge hulls heave, and mails afcend the fkies j 
 
BOOK VII. 
 
 *°3 
 
 Launch'd in the deep, o'er eaftern waves they fly, 
 Feed every ifle and diitant lands fupply. 
 
 Silent he gazed ; when thus the guardian Power — 
 Thefe works of peace awhile adorn the fhcre; 
 But other joys and deeds of lading praife 
 Shall crown their labours and thy rapture raife. 
 Each orient realm, the former pride of earth, 
 Where men and fcience drew their ancient birth, 
 Shall foon behold, on this enlighten'd coaft, 
 Their fame tranfcended and their glory loft. 
 That train of arts, that graced mankind before, 
 Warm'd the glad fage or taught the Mule to foar, 
 Here with fuperior fway their progrefs trace, 
 And aid the triumphs of thy filial race ; 
 While rifing crouds, with genius unconfined, 
 Through deep inventions lead the aftoninVd mind, 
 Wide o'er the world their name unrivall'd raife, 
 And bind their temples with immortal bays. 
 
 In youthful minds to wake the ardent flame, 
 To nurfe the arts, and point the paths of fame, 
 Behold their liberal fires, with guardian care, 
 Thro' all the realms their feats of fcience rear. 
 Great without pomp the modeft manfions rife ; 
 Harvard and Ya!e v and Princeton greet the fkies ; 
 Penn's ample walls o'er Del' ware's margin bend, 
 On James's bank the royal fpires afcend, 
 Thy turrets, York, Columbia's walks command, 
 Bofom'd in groves, fee growing Dartmouth (land ; - 
 
io4 BOOK VII. 
 
 While, o'er the realm reflecting folar fires, 
 On yon tall hiil Rhode-IilancTs feat afpires. 
 
 O'er all the fhore, with fails and cities gay, 
 And where rude hamlets ftretch their inland fway, 
 With humbler wails unnumber'd fchools arife, 
 And youths unnumber'd fieze the folid prize. 
 In no bled land has Science rear'd her fane, 
 And fix'd fo firm her wide-extended reign ; 
 Each ruftic here., that turns the furrow 'd foil, 
 The maid, the youth, that ply mechanic toil, 
 In freedom nurft, in ufeful arts inured, 
 Know their juft claims, and fee their rights fecured. 
 
 And lo, defcending from the feats of art, 
 The growing throngs for active fcenes depart ; 
 In various garbs they tread the welcome land, 
 Swords at their fide or fceptres in their hand, 
 With healing powers bid dire difeafes ceafe. 
 Or found the tidings of eternal peace. 
 
 In no bled land has fair Religion ihone, 
 And fix'd fo firm her everlafting throne. 
 Where, o'er the realms thofe fpacious temples ihine^ 
 Frequent and full the throng'd alTemblies join ; 
 There, fired with virtue's animating flame, 
 The facred tafk unnumber'd fages claim; 
 The tafic, for angels great ; in early youth, 
 To lead whole nations in the walks of truth, 
 Shed the bright beams of knowledge on the mind, 
 'For focial compact harmonize mankind, 
 
BOOK VII. 205 
 
 To life, to happinefs, to joys above, 
 The foften'd foul with ardent zeal to move ; 
 For this the voice of Heaven, in early years, 
 Tuned the glad fongs of life-infpiring feers, 
 For this confenting feraphs leave the fkies, 
 The God compaflionates, the Saviour dies. 
 
 Tho' different faiths their various orders fhow, 
 That feem difcordant to the train below ; 
 Yet one bled caufe, one univerfal flame, 
 Wakes all their joys and centres every aim ; 
 They tread the fame bright fteps, and fmoothe the 
 Lights of the world and meiTengers of God. [road, 
 So the galaxy broad o'er heaven difplays 
 Of various ftars the fame unbounded blaze ; 
 Where great and fmall their mingling rays unite, 
 And earth and fkies repay the friendly light. 
 
 While thus the hero view'd the facred band, 
 Moved by one voice and guided by one hand, 
 He faw the heavens unfold, a form defcend, 
 Down the dim fkies his arm of light extend, 
 From God's own altar lift a living coal, 
 Touch their glad lips and brighten every foul ; 
 Then, with accordant voice and heavenly tongue, 
 O'er the wide clime thefe welcome accents rung. 
 
 Ye darkling race of poor diftreft mankind, 
 For blifs ftill groping and to virtue blind, 
 Hear from on high th' Almighty's voice defcend ; 
 Y'e heavens, be filent, and thou earth, attend. 
 
206 BOOK VII. 
 
 I reign the Lord of life ; I fill the round, 
 Where ftars and ikies and angels know their bound ; 
 Before all years, beyond all thought I live, 
 Light, form and motion, time and fpace I give -, 
 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 ; 
 Graced with the femblance of the Maker's mind, 
 Rofe from the darkfome dufl the reafoning kind, 
 With powers of thought to trace the eternal Caufe, 
 That all his works to one great fyftem draws, 
 View the full chain of love, the all-ruling plan, 
 That binds the God, the angel and the man, 
 That gives all hearts to feel, all minds to know 
 The blifs of harmony, of ft rife the woe. 
 This heaven of concord, who of mortal ftrain 
 Shall dare oppofe — he lifts his arm in vain ; 
 The avenging univerfe fhall on him roll 
 The intended wrong, and whelm his guilty foul. 
 Then lend your audience ; hear, ye fons of earth, 
 Rife into life, behold the promifed birth ; 
 From pain to joy, from guilt to glory rife, 
 Be babes on earth, be feraphs in the ikies. 
 Lo, to the cries of grief mild mercy bends, 
 Stern vengeance fofcens and the God defcends, 
 The atoning God, the pardoning grace to feal, 
 The dead to quicken and the fick to heal. 
 
BOOK VII. 207 
 
 See from his facred fide the life-blood flow, 
 Hear in his groans unutterable woe ; 
 While, fixt in one ftrong pang, the all-fufFeringMind 
 Bears and bewails the tortures of mankind. 
 But lo, the afcending pomp ! around him move 
 His riling faints, the firft-born fons of love ; 
 View the glad throng, the glorious triumph join, 
 His paths purfue and in his fplendor mine ; 
 Purged from your ftains in his atoning blood, 
 Aliume his fpotlefs robes and reign befide your God. 
 
 Thus heard the hero — while his roving view 
 Traced other crouds that liberal arts purfue ; 
 When thus the Seraph — Lo, a favourite band, 
 The torch of fcience flaming in their hand ! 
 Thro' nature's range their ardent fouls afpire, 
 Or wake to life the canvafs and the lyre. 
 Fixt in fublimeft thought, behold them rife, 
 Superior worlds unfolding to their eyes -, 
 Heaven in their view unveils the eternal plan, 
 And gives new guidance to the paths of man. 
 
 See on yon darkening height bold Franklin tread, 
 Heaven's awful thunders rolling o'er his head : 
 Convolving clouds the billowy ikies deform, 
 And forky flames emblaze the blackening ftorm. 
 See the defcending dreams around him burn, 
 Glance on his rod and with his guidance turn ; 
 He bids conflicting. heavens their blafts expire, 
 Curbs the fierce blaze and holds the imprifon'd fire. 
 
aoS BOOK VII. 
 
 No more, when folding ftorms the vault o'er-fpread, 
 The livid glare fkall ftrike thy race with dread ; 
 Nor towers nor temples, fhuddering with the founds 
 Sink in the flames and fpread deftruction round. 
 His daring toils, the threatening blaft that wait, 
 Shall teach mankind to ward the bolts of fate ; 
 The pointed flee! o'er-tcp the afcending fpire, 
 And lead o'er trembling walls the harmlefs fire ; 
 In his glad fame while aidant worlds rejoice, 
 Far as the lightnings fhine or thunders raife their voice. 
 
 See the fage Rittenhoufe, with ardent eye, 
 Lift the long tube and pierce the Harry iky -, 
 Clear in his view the circling fyftems roll, 
 And broader fplendors gild the central pole. 
 He marks what laws the eccentric wanderers bind, 
 Copies creation in his forming mindj 
 And bids, beneath his hand, in femblance rife, 
 With mimic orbs, the labours of the fkies. 
 There wondering crouds with raptured eye behold 
 The fpangled heavens their myftic maze unfold •, 
 While each glad fage his fplendid hall fhall grace, 
 With all the fpheres that cleave the etherial fpacc, 
 
 To guide the failor in his wandering way, 
 See Godfrey's toils reverfe the beams of day. 
 His lifted quadrant to the eye difplays 
 From adverfe ikies the counteracting rays 3 
 And marks, as devious fails bewilder'd roll, 
 Each nice gradation from the ftedfaft pole. 
 
 
BOOK VII. 209 
 
 See, Weft with glowing life the canvafs warms ; ^ 
 His fovereign hand creates impaffron'd forms, 
 Spurns the cold critic rules, to fieze the heart, 
 And boldly burfls the former bounds of Art. 
 No more her powers to ancient fcenes confined, 
 He opes her liberal aid to all mankind; 
 She 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 ; 
 Warriors in arms to frowning combat move, 
 And youths and virgins melt the foul to love ; 
 Grief, rage and fear beneath his pencil flart, 
 Roll the wild eye and pour the flowing heart ; 
 While (lumbering heroes wait his wakening call, 
 And diftant ages fill the ftoried wall. 
 
 With rival force, fee Copley's pencil trace 
 The air of action and the charms efface ; 
 Fair in his tints unfold the fcenes of ftate, 
 The Senate lirtens and the peers debate ; 
 Pale confternation every heart appalls, 
 In act to fpeak, while death-ftruck Chatham falls. 
 His ftrong, deep ihades a bold exprelTion give, 
 Railed into light the darting figures live : 
 With poliuYd pride the finifh'd features boaft, 
 The mailer's art in nature's foftnefs loft. 
 
 Fired with the martial toils, that bathed in gr>re 
 His brave companions on his native iliore 
 D d 
 
iio BOOK VII. 
 
 Trumbull with daring hand the fcene recalls, 
 He fhades with night Quebec's beleagur'd walls, 
 Mid flafhing flames, that round the turrets rife, 
 Blind carnage raves and great Montgomery dies. 
 On Charleftown's height, thro' floods of rolling fire, 
 Brave Warren falls, and fullen hofts retire 5 
 While other plains of death, that gloom the ikies, 
 And chiefs immortal o'er his canvafs rife. 
 
 See rural feats of innocence and eafe, 
 High tufted towers and walks of waving trees, 
 The white waves darning on the craggy mores, 
 Meandering flreams and meads of fpangled flowers, 
 Where nature's fons their wild excurfions lead, 
 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 fland, 
 And rife immortal from their plaftic hand ; 
 Each breathing form preferves its wonted gracej 
 And all the foul Hands fpeaking in the face. 
 
 Two kindred arts the fwelling fiatue heave, 
 Wake the dead wax and teach the ftone to live. 
 While the bold chiffel claims the rugged ftrife, 
 To rouie the fceptred marble into life > 
 While Latian fhrines their figured patriots boaft, 
 And gods and heroes croud each orient coaft, 
 See Wright's fair hands the livlier fire controul, 
 In waxen forms fhe breathes the impafnon'd foul ; 
 
BOOK VII. 211 
 
 The pencil'd tint o'er moulded fubftance glows, 
 And different powers the unrivail'd art compofe. 
 
 To equal fame afcends thy tuneful throng, 
 The boaft of genius and the pride of fong ; 
 Warm'd with the fcenes that grace their various clime, 
 Their lays (hall triumph o'er the lapfe of time. 
 
 With keen-eyed glance thro' nature's walks to pierce, 
 With all the powers and every charm of verfe, 
 Each fcience opening in his ample mind, 
 His fancy glowing and his tafte refined, 
 See Trumbull lead the train. His fkillful hand 
 Hurls the keen darts of Satire thro* the land ; 
 Pride, knavery, dullnefs, feel his mortal flings, 
 And liftening virtue triumphs while he fings ; 
 Proud Albion's fons, victorious now no more, 
 In guilt retiring from the wafted more, 
 Strive their curft cruelties to hide in vain — 
 The world mall learn them from hisdeathlefs ftrain. 
 
 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 weflern clime. 
 Fired with the themes by feers feraphic fung, 
 Heaven in his eye, and rapture on his tongue, 
 His voice divine revives the promifed land, 
 The Heaven-taught Leader and the chofen band. 
 In Hanniel's fate, proud faction finds her doom, 
 Ai's midnight flames light nations to their tomb, 
 
si2 BOOK VII. 
 
 In vifions bright fuperrtal joys are .given. 
 And all the dread futurities of heaven. 
 
 While freedom's caufe his pan lot bofom warms, 
 In counfel fage, nor inexpert in arms, 
 See Humphreys glorious from the field retire, 
 Sheathe the glad fword and firing the founding lyre ; 
 That lyre which, erft, in hours of dark defpair, 
 Routed the fad realms to urge the unfinifh'd war. 
 O'er fallen friends, with all the flrength of woe, 
 Kis heart- felt fighs in moving numbers flow ; 
 His country's wrongs, her duties, dangers, praife, 
 Fire his full foul and animate his lays j 
 Immortal Wafhington with joy fhall own. 
 So fond a favourite and fo great a fog. 
 
THE 
 
 VISION of COLUMBUS, 
 
 BOOK VIII. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 The vifion fujptnded. Caiifes of the flow progrefs of 
 Science and its frequent interruptions. Its ancient 
 compared with its modern eftablifhment. Consequen- 
 ces of the latter. Caufes of the apparent uncertainty 
 in matters of theology. Super/lit ion built on the paf- 
 fions ; fcepticifm on the reasoning power. Neceffity 
 end happy effecl of the united force of reaf on and the 
 faffiom in the dtfeovery of truth, 
 
The VISION of 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 the etherial vault i the ftarry train 
 Paint their dim forms beneath the placid main ; 
 While earth and heaven, around the hero's eye, 
 Seem arch'd immenfe, like one furrounding iky. 
 Still, from the Power fuperior fplendors fhone, 
 The height emblazing like a radiant throne -, 
 To converfe fweet the Toothing fhades invite, 
 And on the guide the hero fix'd his fight. 
 
 Kind mefifenger of Heaven, he thus began, 
 Why this progrefTive labouring fearch of man ? 
 If man by wifdom form'd hath power to reach 
 Thefe opening truths that following ages teach. 
 Step after ftep, thro' devious mazes, wind, 
 And fill at lad the meafure of the mind, 
 Why did not Heaven, with one unclouded ray, 
 All human arts and reafon's powers difplay ? 
 That mad opinions, fects and party ftrife 
 Might find no place t'imbitter human life. 
 
ai6 BOOK VIIL 
 
 To ^hom the Angelic Power ; to thee Vis givea, 
 To hold high converfe, and enquire of heaven, 
 To mark uncircled ages and to trace 
 The unfolding truths that wait thy kindred race* 
 Know then, the counfels of th' unchanging Mind, 
 Thro' nature's range, progreflive paths defign'd, 
 Unfinifh'd works th' harmonious fyftem grace, 
 Thro' all duration and around all fpace ; 
 Thus beauty, wifdom, power, their parts unroll, 
 Till full perfection joins the accordant whole. 
 
 So the firft week, beheld the progrefs rife, 
 Which form'd the earth and arch'd th'incumbant fkies- 
 Dark and imperfect firft, the un beauteous frame, 
 From vacant night, to crude exiftence came; [bound, 
 Light ftarr'd the heavens and funs were taught their 
 Winds woke their force, and rlcods their centre found ; 
 Earth's kindred elements, in joyous ftrife, 
 Warm'd the glad glebe to vegetable life, 
 Till fenfe and power and action claim'd their place, 
 And godlike reafon crown'd the imperial race. 
 
 Progreflive thus, from that great fource above, 
 Flows the fair fountain of redeeming love, 
 Dark harbingers of hope, at firft beftow'd, 
 Taught early faith to feel her path to God ; 
 Down the prophetic, brightening train of years, 
 Confentins; voices rofe of different feers, 
 In fhadowy types difplay'd the accomplifh'd plan, 
 When filial Godhead fliould affume the man, 
 
BOOK VIIL 217 
 
 When the pureChurch mould ftretch her arms abroad, 
 Fair as a bride and liberal as her God $ 
 Till warm benevolence and truth refined, 
 Pervade the world and harmonize mankind; 
 
 And thus fair Science, of celeftial birth, 
 With times long circuit treads the gladfome earth 3 
 By gradual fteps to mark the extended road. 
 That leads mankind to reafon and to God. 
 
 In elder times, when favage tribes began, 
 A few flrong pafllons fway'd the wayward man ; 
 Envy, revenge and fatelefs luft of power 
 Fired the dark foul and ftain'd the fields with gore. 
 By jarring ftrife, all milder joys fuppreft, 
 Loft their foft influence on the furious bread ; 
 No friendly ties the barbarous feuds afiuage, 
 And ceafelefs carnage, feeds the brutal rage. 
 
 When different tribes, in focial bands combined, 
 Their local views thejoylefs foul confined, 
 Eternal bickerings brutal ftrength fupply'd, 
 Cities are wall'd and warring hofts divide. 
 When infant arts, in growing nations, rofe, 
 They lured the envy of furrounding foes > 
 The favage bands united fieze the prey> 
 Deftroy the learning and obftruct the fway* 
 
 Thus, at the Mule's call, when Thebes arofe, 
 And fcience fway'd where nurt'ringNilus flows, 
 Rich with the fpoils of art, fair ftructures blazed, 
 And barb'rous nations envy'd as they gazed ; 
 
 E e 
 
«8 BOOK VIII. 
 
 The tempting pyramid, the growing ftore, 
 The charm of conqueft and the grafp of power 
 Lured the dark world, with envious pride elate, 
 To whelm fair Science in the wrecks of ftate. 
 Till Thebes and Memphis namelefs ruins lie, 
 And crufh'd the power that raifed them to the fky. 
 
 O'er bright Chaldea's plains her vot'ries ftray, 
 Defcribed the liars and fix'd their wandering way, 
 The unclouded fkies the fhepherd learn'd to read, 
 His loves to cherifh and his flocks to feed; 
 Till haughty Babel ftretch'd an envy'd fway, 
 And furious millions warr'd the arts away, 
 
 IlifTus' banks difpky'd a happier feat, 
 Where every Mufe and all the graces meet ; 
 Parnaffiari heights fhe foars ; then, fleering far, 
 Driven by the clofe purfuit of vengeful war, 
 She wings her flight, a wefcern region gains, 
 And moves in majefty o'er Latian plains. 
 
 But pride and conqueft follow where fhe leads, 
 Her eagle flies, the untutor'd favage bleeds, 
 Rome's haughty Genius, taught by her to foar, 
 With pride of learning fvvells the pride of power; 
 From Brits, from Scythians plucks the laurel crown : 
 And deems, by right, the unletter'd world his own. 
 Till, fired by infult, vengeful myriads rofe, 
 And all the north pours forth the fwarming foes. 
 Like fweeping tempeits in embattled heaven, , 
 When' fire and blacknefs ftreak the fails of even, 
 
BOOK VIII. ti 9 
 
 The dark-red hofts of painted warriors roll, 
 Rome's thoughtlefs capitol the tempting goal ; 
 Nor arts they need nor order points thier way, 
 For arts and order fwell the Reman fway ; 
 Spain, Latium, 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, 
 Proclaim the progrefs of a heavier fnade ; 
 Thus where the Power her ancient circuit held, 
 Her finning courfe fucceeding darknefs veil'd. 
 Fear, intereit, envy bound her laurel'd reign, 
 A coaft her walk, the Hellefpont her main, 
 Ere Goya's trembling fteel could point the pole, 
 Or heavens inverted taught thy bark to roll. 
 
 At length the fcene a nobler pomp afifumes, 
 A milder beam difpels the Gothic glooms -, 
 In fober majefty, and charms of peace, 
 The goddefs moves, and cheers her filial race, 
 Lifts bolder wings, with happier flight to foar, 
 No more to reft till heavens illume no more. 
 At once, confenting nations rife to fame; 
 Here Charles's genius wakes the Gallic name, 
 There Alfred aids the univerfal caufe, 
 And opes the fource of liberty and laws ; 
 Here Greece invites her to her ancient home, 
 There in rough greatnefs heaves her Gothic dome. 
 
22o BOOK VIIL 
 
 Wide fpreads her fway o'er bleft Arabian plains, 
 Where her own Caliph, liberal Rachid reigns, 
 O'er all the climes extends the rifing Power, 
 From fartheft Ganges to the Atlantic fhore. 
 
 Even horrid war, that erft her courfe withftood, 
 And whelm'd, fo oft, her peaceful fhrines in blood, 
 Now leads thro' paths unfeen her glorious way, 
 Extends her limits and confirms her fway. 
 See, from all Europe's bounds, the warriors pour, 
 In crouding millions to the Afian fhore ; 
 Mankind their prey, the unmeaning Crofs their pride, 
 And facred vengeance their delufive guide. 
 Zeal points their way, thro' famine, toil and blood, 
 To aid with arms the imagin'd caufe of God ; 
 Till fields of flaughter whelm the broken holt. 
 Their pride appall'd, their countlefs myriads loft, 
 The fad remains to peaceful toils return, 
 Skill'd in the arts, that eaftern climes adorn -, 
 O'er Europe's changing fhores, the charms difplay, 
 And wafted realms with happier fruits repay. 
 
 The rival barons, whom ambition draws, 
 Their wealth to laviih in the holy caufe, 
 In peace retiring, yield the regal crown, 
 And blend their counfels to exalt the throne. 
 While flaves, no longer purchafed with the foil, 
 Waked into freemen, ply the cheerful toil, 
 Afifert their rights, extend the royal reign, 
 And mutual terrprs break the feudal chain. 
 
BOOK VIII. 221 
 
 Now growing commerce in firm compact joins 
 Surrounding nations and their force combines j 
 From rich Aufonia, bold advent'rers rife, 
 Trace midland currents tow'rd the northern fkies, 
 Enlarge their navies, and with wealthier train, 
 Roll with the Rhine and widen with the main ; 
 Then tempt a broader flight, extend the fail, 
 Point the fure compafs, call a foreign gale, 
 For fpicy fruits the orient furges brave, 
 And load with fparkling gems the liberal wave. 
 
 See Rome once more the unfolding arts attend, 
 Her groves rewarble and her walls afcend j 
 Bologna's learned towers arife to fame, 
 And thine, fair Paris, nobler honours claim ; 
 In rival fplendor, bright Oxonia, fmiles, 
 And fpreads her Wettings o'er the Britifh ifles ; 
 There, like the ftar that leads the orient day, 
 Chaucer directs his tuneful fons their way. 
 See haplefs Galiileo's daring foul 
 Explore the ftars and point their orbs to roll ; 
 And, happier Fauftus, thy inventive mind 
 Awakes the unbounded genius of mankind : 
 O'er wondering climes thy letter'd types difplay 
 The works offcience and extend herfway. 
 
 Bold chivalry romantic aids her caufe \ 
 In honour's name the knight his falchion draws ; 
 Lured by the charms that grace the guardlefs fair, 
 To fuffering virtue bends his generous care, 
 
222 BOOK VII. 
 
 Thro* toil and pain in queft of glory roves, 
 Braves death and danger for the maid he loves; 
 While fired by gallantry, the generous art, 
 Improves the manners and amends the heart. 
 
 When pride and rapine held their vengeful fway, 
 •And praife purfued where conqueft led the way, 
 Fair nature's mildeft grace, the female mind, 
 By rough-brow'd power neglected and confined, 
 Unheeded figh'd, mid empire's rude alarms, 
 Unknown its virtues and enilaved its charms. 
 So the lone wild-rofe opes the fweeteft bloom, 
 To fcent the unconfcious thorn, and wither round the 
 
 Bleit Science then, to rugged toils confined, [tomb. 
 Rofe but to conquer and enflave mankind, 
 O'er gentle paflions fpread a harm controul, 
 And waked the glare of grandeur in the foul. 
 She taught the lance to thirft for human gore, 
 She taught pale avarice to fwell the (lore, 
 Taught milder arts the peaceful prize to yield, 
 Her Mufe to thunder thro' the embattled field ; 
 In ruin'd realms to build the fhrine of fame, 
 And call celeftial aid to raife a tyrant's name. 
 In chains and darknefs mourn'd the haplefs fair, 
 The price of gold, the infuked prize of war, 
 While fires, unfeeling, claim'd the fordid dower, 
 And nymphs were fold the ilaves of luft and power. 
 
 A happier morn now brightens in the Ikies, 
 Superior arts, in peaceful glory, rife; 
 
BOOK VIII. 223 
 
 While fofter virtues claim their guardian care, 
 And crowns of laurel grace the rifing fair. 
 With all the raptures of celeftial fire, 
 Each rival fex the rival arts infpire ; 
 This bids bold commerce load the labouring main, 
 Or fwells the peaceful harveftof the plain, 
 That leads the hours of calm, domeftic toil, 
 And cheers the houfhold with an evening fmile. 
 While ftates and empires, policies and laws 
 Lure the firm patriot in the bolder caufe, 
 To flem the tide of power or guide the war, 
 Like thee to fuffer and like thee to dare — 
 With equal honour, as with fofter grace, 
 The matron virtues guide the rifing race. 
 
 On this broad bafe while Science rears her fane, 
 New toils and triumphs fill her glorious train, 
 Thro' fairer fields me leads the expanding mind, 
 jGrlads every clime and dignifies mankind. 
 Contending kings their views harmonious blend, 
 W r ith temper'd force their arts and arms extend ; 
 The oppofing holts beneath their liberal reign, 
 .Croud the vafl wave and glitter o'er the plain, 
 With thundering engines rend the harrnlefs air, 
 And lofe the horrors in the pomp of war. 
 
 See the glad fage to ufeful labours foar, 
 Tempt other feas and unknown worlds explore, 
 pid feeble tribes difplay their powers abroad, 
 And regions fmile without the wafle of blood. 
 
224 BOOK Vlll 
 
 Then, while the daring Mufe, from heavenly quires, 
 With life divine the raptured bard infpires, 
 With bolder hand he ftrikes the trembling firing, 
 Virtues and loves and deeds like thine to fing. 
 No more with vengeful chiefs and furious gods, 
 Old Ocean crimfons and Olympus nods* 
 Nor heavens, convulfive, rend the dark profound* 
 Nor Titans groan beneath the heaving ground ; 
 But milder themes fhall wake the peaceful fong, 
 Life in the foul and rapture on the tongue - $ 
 To moral beauties bid the world attend, 
 And didant lands their focial ties extend, 
 Thro' Union'd realms the rage of conqued ceafe, 
 War fink in nighty and nature fmile in peace* 
 Then mall he foar fublimer heights, and rove 
 O'er brighter walks, and happier climes of love % 
 Rapt into vifion of the bled abode, 
 From Angel-harps to catch the infpiring God ; 
 Thro* heavens o'ercanopy'd by heavens behold 
 New funs afcend and other fkies unfold, 
 Seraphs and fyftem'd worlds around him lhine, 
 And lift his mortal drains to harmony divine. 
 
 To thefefuperior flights, the chief rejoin'd, 
 If happier years fhall raife the roving mind ; 
 Progreftlve arts exalt the foul on high, 
 Peace rule the earth and faith unfold the fky ; 
 Say, how fhall truths like thefe to man be given? 
 Or fcience find the limits mark'd by Heaven ? 
 
BOOK VIII. 225 
 
 In every age fince reafoning pride began, 
 And heavens dread Sire reveal'd himfelf to man, 
 What different faiths the changing race infpire ! 
 What blind devotions and unhallow'd fire ! 
 What gods of human form and favage power 
 Cold fear could fafhion or mad zeal adore ! 
 Thefe croud their temples, thofe their names defpife, 
 In each dire caufe the exulting martyr dies ; 
 Till, fenfe renounced, and virtue driven afar, 
 Rage fires the realms, religion founds to war ; 
 And the firft blefiing, Heaven for earth defign'd, 
 Seems the fevereft curfe that waits mankind. 
 
 Say then, my guide, if heavenly wifdom gave 
 To erring man a life beyond the grave — 
 If one creative Power, one living fcul 
 Produced all beings and preferves the whole ; 
 Who, throned in light, with full perfection bleft, 
 Mid changing worlds, enjoys eternal reft ; 
 While man, (till grovling, pafTionate and blind, 
 Wars with his neighbour and deflroys his kind-*- 
 Say, what connecting chain, in endlefs line, 
 Links earth to heaven, and mortal with divine ? 
 Applies alike to every age and clime, 
 And lifcs the foul beyond the bounds of time ; 
 And when ihall fcience trace the immortal way, 
 And hail religion in her native day ? 
 
 The Power return'd. Thy race fhall foon behold 
 Reafon refined, and moral lights unroli'd, 
 
 F f 
 
aa6 BOOK VIIL 
 
 While icicnce rifes, freed from pedant pride, 
 Of truth the ftandard and of faith the guide. 
 
 The pafllons wild, that fway the changing mind, 
 The reafoning powers, her watchful guides defign'd, 
 Each, unreftrain'd, alike fubvert the plan, 
 Miflead the judgment and betray the man. 
 Hence raging zeal, or fceptic fcorn prevails, 
 And arms decide the faith, where wifdom fails. 
 Of human pafllons, one above the red, 
 Fear, love, or envy, rules in every breaft -, 
 And, while it varies with the changing clime, 
 Now ftoops to earth, now lifts the foul fublime, 
 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 fall I 
 The youthful God, mid fuppliant kings infhrined, 
 Difpenfing fate and ruling half mankind, 
 Sits, with contorted limbs, a filent (lave, 
 An early victim of a fecret grave. 
 And, where the mofk's dim arches bend on high, 
 See the dead prophet mount the mimic iky s 
 While pilgrim hofts, o'er tracklefs deferts come, 
 Croud the deep fhrine, and worfhip round his tomb. 
 See Memphian altars reek with human gore, 
 Gods hifs from caverns, or in cages roar $ 
 Nile pours from heaven a tutulary flood, 
 And vales produce the vegetable God. 
 
BOOK VIII. -227 
 
 Two rival Powers the Magian faith infpire, 
 The fire of darknefs and the fource of fire : 
 Evil and good, in thefe contending rife, 
 And each, by turns, the fovereign of the fkies. 
 Sun, liars and planets round the earth behold 
 Their fanes of marble and their fhrines of gold ; 
 The fea, the grove, the harveft and the vine 
 Spring from their Gods, and claim a fource divine -, 
 While heroes, kings and fages of their times, 
 Thofe 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 
 Thefe rites abfurd, and bids the world defpife: 
 Then reafoning powers o'er paflion gain the fvvay, 
 And fhroud in deeper glooms the mental ray. 
 See the proud fage, with philofophic eye, 
 Rove thro* all climes, and trace the Harry fky, 
 The fyftems mark, their various laws purfue, 
 The God ftill rifing to his raptured view ; 
 But what this God ? and what the great defign, 
 Why creatures live or worlds around him mine ? 
 If all perfection dwelt in him alone, 
 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 ; 
 
223 BOOK VIII. 
 
 From froft end fire what ftorms untemper'd rave ! 
 What plagues, what earthquakes croud the gaping 
 Pain, toil and torture give the infant breath, [grave ! 
 His life is mifery and his portion death. 
 From moral ills a like deftruction reigns, 
 War founds the trump, and (laughter dyes the plains; 
 While wrath divine proclaims a heavier doom,. 
 And guilt, afronifh'd, looks beyond the tomb. 
 Whence thefe unnumber'd caufelefs ills, he cries, 
 Could wifdom form them ? or could love devife ? 
 No love, no wifdom, no confiftent plan, 
 No God irwheaven, nor future life to man ! 
 
 While thus, thro' nature's walks he foars on high, 
 Acquits all guilt, difpeoples all the fky, 
 Denies unfeen exiftence, and believes 
 No form beyond what human fenfe perceives, 
 An anxious fearch impels the curious mind, 
 Its own bright eiTence and its powers to find. 
 From confeious thought his reafoning force he plies, 
 And dceD in fearch the active foul defcries ; 
 Yet fenfe and fubftance 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 j 
 Reafon, collected fits above the fcheme, 
 Proves God and nature but an idle dream, 
 In one great learned doubt invelopes all, 
 And whelms it's own exiftence in the fall, 
 
 
BOO K VIII. ■ *29 
 
 Thefe wide extremes of paflion and of pride 
 A while on earth thy changing race divide ; 
 That man may find his limits and his laws, 
 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, 
 And zealots rave, and fceptics doubt, in vain ; 
 While reafon, fenfe and paflion aid the foul, 
 Science her guide and truth the eternal goal. 
 
 Firft, his own powers the man, with care, defcrie . 
 What nature gi ves, and various art fupplics j 
 Rejects the ties of controverfial rules, 
 The pride of names, the prejudice of fchools ; 
 The fure foundation lays, on which to rife, 
 To look thro' earth and meditate the fkies : 
 And finds fome general laws in every breaft, 
 Where ethics, faith and politics may reft. 
 
 Of human powers, theSenfes always chief, 
 Produce inftruction or inforce belief; 
 Reafon, as next in fway, the balance bears, 
 Receives their tidings, and with fkill compares, 
 Reflrains wild fancy, calms the impaflion'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, 
 Given to fecure, but not exalt the race ; 
 
*30 BOOK VIII. 
 
 Pefcries no God, nor claims fuperior birth, 
 And knows no life beyond the bounds of earth. 
 Reafon, tho' taught by fenfe to range on high, 
 To trace the ftars and meafure all the fky 5 
 Tho* fancy, memory, forefight fill her train, 
 And o'er the bead fhe lifts the pride of man, 
 Yet, ftill to matter, form and fpace confined, 
 Or moral truths, or laws that rule mankind, 
 Gould ne'er unaided pierce the mental gloom, 
 Explore new fcenes beyond the clofing tomb, 
 Reach with immortal hope the bleft abode, 
 Or raife one thought of fpirit, or of God. 
 Yet names of God, and powers of heavenly ftrain 
 All nations reverence and all tongues contain ; 
 Thro* every age the confcious mind perceives, 
 Reafon pronounces and the fenfe believes. 
 What caufe myfterious could the thought impart, 
 Not taught by nature nor acquired hy art ? 
 It fpeaks of nature's God — no matter when 
 The name was caught, 'tis never loft by men ; 
 From clime to clime, from age to age it flies, 
 Sounds thro' the world and echos to the Ikies. 
 It proves him, felf-reveal'd -> and all the plan 
 On this connexion refts of God and man, 
 
 Obferve, in man, defires immortal given, 
 To range o'er earth and climb a happier heaven ; 
 Yet fear and confcious guilt his flight reftrain, 
 His God offended, and his wifhes vain : 
 
BOOK VIII. 231 
 
 The wrath divine impending on his breaft 
 Precludes the hope of refuge and of reft ; 
 He ieeks the fane, obtefts the avenging fkies, 
 Pours the full tear, and yields the facrifice j 
 Some foreign aid, fome mediating grace, 
 He feeks to fnield him from his Maker's face. 
 All forms of worfhip, that engage mankind, 
 In different climes to various Powers confined, 
 Require of fuppliants fome external aid, 
 Some victim offer'd, or fome penance paid, 
 Some middle name, or reconciling plan, 
 To foothe the Godhead and redeem the man. 
 This thought, fo wide diftufed thro* all mankind, 
 Rofe not from earth, or force of human mind ; 
 From heaven reveal'd,it mows fome fov'reign fcheme, 
 To link this nature with the Power fupreme. 
 From guilt and pain to lift the foul on high, 
 And ope a happier fcene, a world beyond the fky. 
 From clime to clime while rove the fage's eyes, 
 Books croud on books, and creeds on creeds arife. 
 Reafon refined with liberal eye furvcys 
 The 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 the accordant fcheme of heaven, 
 Dire vengeance foorh'd, a mediation given, 
 Man freed from pain, the ftains of guilt removed, 
 To angels liken'd and by Heaven approved *, 
 
2 3 * BOOK VII!. 
 
 Death bound in chains from his old empire hurl'd, 
 And peace and pardon promifed xo the world. 
 
 Here ends the toilfome fearch ; in this may reft 
 The doubts and fears that move the labouring breaftj 
 Thefe few fair truths, to common feeling plain, 
 The work unfold, and every part fuftain. 
 As, on an arch of (lone, fome temple (lands, 
 Raifed to the clouds, and fhines to diftant lands j 
 The firm foundations, open to the fight, 
 Croud, as it grows, and ftrengthen with the weight -, 
 Thus, on the characters of God and man, 
 By Heaven reveal'd in this conformant plan, 
 The beauteous fyftem refts - 9 and tho' awhile, 
 Mad zeal o'erload it, and cold fcorn revile, 
 Stands, felf-exalted, fuTd with native light, 
 Firm to the faith, and growing on the fight. 
 It fpeaks one fimple, univerfal caufe, 
 Which time and fpace from one great centre draws; 
 Whence this unfolded, that began its flight, 
 Worlds fiird the Ikies, and nature roll'd in light ; 
 Whither all beings tend ; and where, at lad, 
 Their progrefs, changes, imperfections, paft, 
 Matter fhall turn to light, to pleaiure pain, 
 Strife end in union, angel form in man j 
 From ftage to ftage, from life to life, refined, 
 All centre, whence they fprang, in one eternal Mind. 
 
 In this harmonious round, united rife, 
 Power to create, and wifdom to devife ; 
 
BOOK VIII. 133 
 
 While Love fupreme, before all action, flood, 
 The firlT, the laft, the chain of general good j 
 Through nature's range t' extend thefway divine, 
 And neaven and earth in mild accordance join ; 
 To one great moral Senfe, all fenfe to draw, 
 Strong as necefiity, and fixt as law. 
 
 This branch of Godhead, thro' the fyftem known, 
 Image and brightnefs of the Eternal throne ; 
 By whom all wifdom Chines, all power extends, 
 God flands reveal'd and Heaven with nature blends, 
 Thro' earth and Ikies proclaim'd the indulgent plan, 
 And fpoke the law to Angel and to man -, 
 In man's clear view difplay'd the etherial road, 
 To love the neighbour and adore the God. 
 Yet, firm in juflice as in mercy great, 
 His fovereign power directs the lcenes of fate, 
 Wide o'er the world with guardian care extends, 
 Curbs the proud nations and the weak defends ; 
 That feeble faith and boafting fcorn may prove 
 The frown of vengeance, or the fmile of love, 
 Holds, in his own right hand, the dreadful doom 
 Ofwoes unnumber'dhere,and death beyond the tomb. 
 
 Fill'd with his fire, and guided by his hand, 
 See the long train of white-robed prophets (land ! 
 Thro' opening heaven, their eyes fublimely roll, 
 Peace on their tongue, and rapture in their foul ; 
 The pad records, the deeds of unborn time 
 Flame in their page, and fhine to every clime : 
 
 Gg 
 
134 BOO K VIII. 
 
 There, nations read their fate,, and kings, to comc> 
 Find, in the leaves, their glory or their doom. 
 There unborn Cyrus, preordain'd to fame, 
 On Babel's ruins, builds the Perfian name ; 
 The chief of Macedon, the realm of Greece, 
 The Latian grandeur, and the Prince of peace, 
 In order ranged their fong prophetic grace, 
 And time (lands pointing to the deilined place. 
 When now, with rolling years thefe deeds of fame 
 
 Rife into light and faith of nations claim. 
 
 *~> 
 
 Behold, on earth the prom i fed Prince beftow'd I 
 The Virgin's offspring and the filial God ; 
 T\\q appointed ftar its rapid courfe fufpends, 
 The fides unfold, the my (He dove defcends, 
 Glad fongs attend him, heaven and earth combine, 
 To hail the new-born babe, and fpeak his birth divine. 
 
 See nature's laws fufpended by his power 1 
 Unclofing graves their fiumbering dead reftore, 
 Winds rife to waft him, dorms, to lull him, fleep, 
 He walks the wave, and triumphs o'er the deep ; 
 He dies, he conquers death, afcends on high, 
 And riling faints attend him thro' the Iky. 
 
 Thus, all the myflic fcheme, defign'd by heaven, 
 With cleared light to ftedfaft faith is given ; 
 Here the great moral Senfe, the God conceal'd, 
 To human fenfe in earthly form reveal'd, 
 Suffers in open day, to teach mankind 
 His fecret fufferings in the oppofer's mind j 
 
 
BOOK VIII. 23s 
 
 To teach how pain and death and endlefs woes, 
 From wayward ftrife, and breach of order, rofe s 
 How each difcordant wifh, the foul that fwells, 
 'Gain ft human blifs and heavenly power rebels, 
 Weakens the chain of love, Tub verts the plan, 
 While nature drives the vengeance back on man. 
 
 Here all religion relis, and fuon thy race 
 Her pureit lights, by wifdorn's eye fhall trace. 
 Here the lad flights of feience fhall afcenc,. 
 To look thro' heaven, and feniz with reafon blend ; 
 View the great fource of love, that flows abroad, 
 Spreads to all creatures, centres flill in God, 
 Lives thro' the whole, from nature's compact (prints, 
 Orders, reverfes, Mils the funa of things ; 
 In law conftrains, in gofpel reconciles, 
 In judgment frowns, in gentle mercy (miles, 
 Commands all fcnic to feel, all life to prove 
 The attracting force of univerfal lov'e^ 
 
THE 
 
 VISION or COLUMBUS. 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
ARGUMENT. 
 
 The Vifion refumed and extended over the whole earth, 
 Prefent character of different nations. Future 'prog- 
 rejs effocieiy with rejpeel to commerce, difcoveries, the 
 opening of canals, philofophical, medical and political 
 knowledge, the affimilation and final harmony of all 
 languages. Caufe of the fir ft confufion cf tongues ex- 
 plained; and the effeel of their union defcrifod. View 
 of a general council of all nations ajfembled to ejiab- 
 lifh the political harmony of mankind. Cwclufton* 
 
The VISION of COLUMBUS. 
 BOOK IX. 
 
 X^J OW, round the yielding canopy of fhade, 
 Again the Guide his heavenly power difplay'd. 
 Sudden, the ftars their trembling fires withdrew, 
 Returning fplendors burft upon the view -, 
 Floods of unfolding light the fkies adorn, 
 And more than midday glories grace the morn. 
 So fhone the earth, as all the (tarry train, 
 Broad as full funs, had fail'd theetherial plain $ 
 When nodiftinguifh'd orb could ftrike the fight, 
 But one clear blaze of all-furrounding light 
 O'errlow'd the vault of heaven. For now, in view 
 Remoter climes and future ages drew - y 
 While deeds of happier fame, in long array, 
 Call'd into vifion, fill the new-born day. 
 
 Far as the Angelic Power could life the eye, 
 Or earth, or ocean bend the yielding fky ; 
 Or circling funs awake the breathing gale, 
 Drake lead the way, or Cook extend the fail $ 
 All lands, all feas, that boaft a prefenf name, 
 And all that unborn time fhall give to fame, 
 
24a BOOK IX. 
 
 Around the chief in Fair expanficn rife, 
 
 And earth's whole circuit bounds the level'd fkies^ 
 
 He law 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, 
 What happier realms the fweets of plenty tafte s 
 "Where arts and virtues fix their golden reign, 
 Or peace adorns, or (laughter dyes the plains 
 He faw the reftlefs Tartar, proud to roam, 
 Move with his herds, and fpread his tranfient home; 
 Thro' the vail tracts of China's fixt domain, 
 The fonsof dull contentment plough the plain ; 
 The gloomy Turk afcends the blood-ftain'd car, 
 And Ruffian banners fhade the plains of war ; 
 Brazilian wilds and Afric's burnino- fands 
 With bickering ftrife inflame the furious bands -, 
 On bled Atlantic ifles, and Europe's ihores, 
 Proud wealth and commerce heap their growing ft ores, 
 While his own weftern world, in profpect fair, 
 Calms her brave fons, now breathing from the war, 
 Unfolds her harbours, fpreads 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 progreffive plan, 
 That draws, for mutual fuccour, man to man, 
 From friends to tribes, from tribes to realms afcend, 
 Their powers, their interefts and their paffions blend; 
 
BOOK IX. 241 
 
 Adorn their manners, fecial virtues fpread, 
 Enlarge their compacts and extend their trade ; 
 While chiefs like thee, with perfevering foul, 
 Bid venturous barks to new difcoveries roll ; 
 High in the north, and tow'rd the fouthern (kies^, 
 New ides and nations greet the roving eyes; 
 Till each remoteft realm, by friendship join'd, 
 Links in the chain that binds all human kind, 
 The union'd banners rife at lad unfurl'd, 
 And wave triumphant round the accordant world* 
 
 As fmall fwift itreams their furious courfe impel, 
 Till meeting waves their winding currents fwel] $ 
 Then widening fvveep thro* each defcending plain, 
 And move majeftic to the boundlefs main : 
 *Tis thus fociety's fmall fources rife ; 
 Through pafTions wild their devious progrefs lies ; 
 Intereft and faith and pride and power withftand, 
 And mutual ills the growing views expand \ 
 Till tribes and ftates and empires Find their place, 
 *And one wide intereft 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 concltffion of 
 the late war) the Author is happy to lind that his gencfil ideas, ref- 
 pefting the future progrefs and final perfection of human fociety, are 
 iupported by thofc of fo refpec~table a Character as Dr. Price. In 
 his Obfervations on the Importance of the American Revolution, 
 he remarks, '* That Reafon, as well as Tradition and Revelation, 
 '* lead us to expert that a more improved and happy (rate of hu- 
 " man affairs will take place before the final confummatiqn of all 
 " things. The world has been hitherto gradually improving ; 
 " light and knowledge have been gaining ground, and human life 
 
 H h 
 
*49 BOOK IX. 
 
 And tec, in hafte, the afcending fcenes advance, 
 The ports unfold, the glimmering navies dance - r 
 
 " at prefent, compared with what it once was, is much the fame 
 " that a youth approaching to manhood is, compared with an in- 
 <• rant." 
 
 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 expe&ed to be introduced 
 without a miracle. Mec dais hitcrjit n'-Ji dignus vbidice nodus , is a 
 maxim, as ufeful to a ChriiHan Philofcpher as to a Heathen Poet. 
 Although, from the hiilory of mankind, it appears, that the pro- 
 grefs of improvement has been flow and often interrupted, yet it 
 gives pleafure to obferve the caufes of thefe interruptions, and to 
 uiiccrn the end they were deiigned in the courfe of Providence to 
 anfwer, in accelerating the fame events, which they feemed for a- 
 v.liilc to retard. The ftate of the arts among the ancients, viewed 
 with reference to the event under confederation » was faulty or ra- 
 ther unfortunate in two particulars ; firfi, in their comparative ef- 
 timatioa ; zvA /eco>id(y , in their not h'ouriming in mere than one 
 nation at a time. Thefe circumftances were highly favourable to 
 the exertions of individual genius, and may be afiigned both as 
 caufes of the univerfal definition of the arts by the Gothic conqueil, 
 and as reaiens why we mcuid not greatly lament that deftru&ion. 
 Frcni the iituation of mankind in the days of ancient literature', 
 it was natural that thofe arts which depend on the imagination, fuch 
 as Architecture, Statuary, Painting, Eloquence and Poetry, mould 
 claim the high eft rank in the eftimation of a people. In fevcral, 
 and perhaps all of thefe, the ancients remain unrivaled. But 
 thefe are not the arts which tend greatly to the general improve- 
 ment pf mankind. The man, who in thefe idays could have afcer- 
 tained the true figure of the earth, would have rendered mere fer- 
 vice to the world, than he 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 furnifhing fleets of difcovery, to befent 
 out of the Mediterranean, the civilized world would probably 
 never have been overrun by Barbarians. But the feiences of Ge- 
 ography, Navigation and Commerce, with all their confequential 
 •improvements in natural philofcphy and humanity, could not, from 
 the nature of things, be objects of great encouragement or enter- 
 prize among the ancients. They therefore turned their attention 
 to the cultivation of arts more fcriking to the fenfes ; fuch as re- 
 quire the itrongeft exertion of the human genius and would be en- 
 titled to the higheft rank in any age of univerfal refinement. As 
 thefe arts were adapted to gratify the vanity of a prince, to fire the 
 ambition of a hero, cr to gain a point in a popular aiTembly, they 
 
BOOK IX. 245 
 
 For commerce arnVd the different Powers combine, 
 And Heaven approving aids the bleft defign. 
 
 were carried to a degree of perfection', which prevented their being 
 reliihed or underftood by barbarians. The literature of the world 
 therefore defcended with the line ofcon^neft from cue nation to 
 another, till the whole was (wallowed up in the Roman Empire. 
 There its tendency was to infpire a contempt for nations ieis civil- 
 ized, ana to induce the Romans to connder all mankind as the 
 Objects of their infalt, and all countries as the fcenes of their mili- 
 tary parade. Theie circumilances, through a courfe oizgcs, pre- 
 pared ,*nd nna'Iy opened a fcene of wretchednefs, at which the hu- 
 man mind has been taught to ihudder, but it was wifely calculated to 
 reduce mankind to a fituation, capable of commencing regular and 
 extentive improvements, And, however novel the fentiment may 
 appear, yet the Author will venture to aiTcrt, that, as to the prof- 
 peel of univerfai civilization, mankind were in a much mere eligi- 
 ble fituation in the time of Charlemagne than they were in the days 
 of Auguicus. The final dtitruclion of the Roman empire left trie 
 nations of Europe in circumftances fimilar to each other; and their 
 confequent riwilihip prevented any difproportionate refinement 
 from appearing in any particular region. The feeds of govern- 
 ment, firmly rooted in the principles of the feudal fyitem, laid the 
 foundation of that balance of Power, which difcourages the. Cxiars 
 and Alexanders of mankind from attempting the con quell of the 
 world. 
 
 It feems necetfary. that the arrangement of events in civilizing 
 the world mould be in the following order. Firj}, all parts of it 
 muil be confiderably peopled ; fecondly, the different nations mull 
 be known to each other ; and thirdly, their imaginary wants mull be 
 increafed, in order to infpire apafhon for commerce. 7'he firfl of 
 thefe objects, was probably not accomplished till a fate period. The 
 fecond, for three centuries paft, has been greatly accelerated, buti* 
 now very far from being completely obtained. The third is al- 
 ways a neceffary coniequence of the two former. The fpirit of 
 commerce is happily calculated by the Author of wifdom to open 
 an amicable intercourfe between all countries, tofoftcn the horrors 
 of war, to enlarge the field of fcience and fpeculation, and to affi- 
 milate the manners, feelings and languages of all nations. This 
 leading principle, in its remoter confequences, will produce a the: - 
 fand advantages in favour of government and regiflatioh, j 
 triotiim the air of Philanthropy, induce all men to regard each oth- 
 er as brethren and friends, eradicate all kinds of literary, religious 
 and political fuperilkion, prepare the minds of all mankind for the 
 rational reception of moral and religious truth, and finally evince 
 that fuch a fyilem of Providence, as appears in the unfolding of 
 
-44 BOOK IX. 
 
 Tho' jarring realms, awhile the combat wage, 
 And hold in lingering ftrife, the unfettled age ; 
 Yet no rude war, that fweeps the crimfon plain, 
 Shall dare difturb the labours of the main. 
 For Heaven impartial fpread the watery way, 
 Liberal as air and unconfined as day j 
 That every diflant land the wealth might (hare, 
 Exchange their fruits and fill their treafures there $ 
 Their fpeech afiimilate, their empires blend, 
 Aivi mutual inte reft fix the mutual friend. 
 
 The hero look'd : beneath his wondering eyes, 
 Bright dreamers lengthen round the feas and fkies x 
 The countlefs nations open all their flores, 
 Load ev^ry wave and croud the mailed mores $ 
 The fails, in mingling mazes, fweep the air, 
 And commerce triumphs o'er the rage of war. 
 
 thefe events, is the befr. pofliblc fyitem to produce the happinefs of 
 creatures. I conceive it is no objection to this plan, that the pro- 
 gress has hitherto been {low ; when we confider the vaft magnitude 
 of the obj ctt, the ebitruflicns to be removed, and the great length 
 of time that will probably be taken to accomplish it. To relume 
 the companion of Doctor Price, perhaps the world can hardly be 
 laid as yet to be " approaching to manhood" ; probably we are 
 rather riling cut of infancy j we have net yet been able to wander 
 over the whole houfe and obferve upon the furniture. It is porhble 
 that feme confiderable revolutions are yet to happen, before the 
 progrefs will be entirely free from embarrafments. But the gener- 
 al fyilerri appears {o rational and complete, that it furnimes a new 
 fource of iaiiif action, in contemplating the apparent difpenfations 
 of Heave::. 
 
 The author firit ventured upon thefe ideas, in the ccurfe of the 
 Fcjin, with ail the timidity of youth ; determining not to rifk a fe- 
 ribus illuftratton of the feritiment in profe. But finding that a theo- 
 3V io pleafing to himielf has not been unnoticed by others, he feels 
 a greater confidence in the fubject, and hopes the importance of it 
 will apologize to the reader for to lengthy a note. 
 
 
BOOK IX. 245 
 
 From Baltic ftreams, that fwell in lonely pride, 
 From Rhine's long courfe,andTexel's labouring tide, 
 From Gallia's coaft, from Albion's hoary height, 
 And fair Hibernia, clothed in purer light, 
 Hifpania's ftrand, that two broad oceans lave, 
 From Senegal's and Tagus' winding wave, 
 The gathering malts, in peaceful fquadrons, rife, 
 And wave their cloudly curtains to the fkies. 
 Thro' the deep (trait that leads the midland tide, 
 The fails look forth and fwell their beauteous pride; 
 Where AuVs ifles and utmoft fhores extend, 
 Like rifing funs, the fheeted malts afcend, 
 And join with peaceful toil the friendly train, 
 No more to combat on the liquid plain. 
 In diftant glory, where the watery way 
 Spreads the blue borders of defcending day, 
 The flowing flags unfold, in lengthening fweep, 
 Pride of the world and daughters of the deep. 
 From Arctic heavens, and deep in fouthern fkies, 
 Where froft recedes as blooms of culture rife — 
 Where eaftern Amur's lengthening current glides, 
 Where California breaks the billowy tides, 
 Peruvian ftreams their golden margins boaft, 
 And fprcading Chili leads the channei'd coaft, 
 The pinions fwell -, till all the cloud-like train, 
 From pole to pole, o'erfhades the whitening main. 
 So fome imperial Seraph, placed on high, 
 From heaven's fublimeft tower o'erlook'd the iky \ 
 
246 BOOK IX. 
 
 When fpace unfolding heard the voice of God, 
 And funs and ftars and fyftems roll'd abroad, 
 Caught their rlrft fplendors from the all-beaming Eye 
 Began their years, and vaulted round the fky ; 
 Their mingling fpheres in bright confufion play> 
 Exchange their beams and fill the new-born day. 
 
 He law, as widely fpreads the unchannel'd plain. 
 Where inland realms for ages bloom'd in vain, 
 Canals, long-winding, ope a watery flight, 
 And diftant ftreams and feas and lakes unite. 
 Where Darien hills o'erlook the gulphy tide^ 
 By human *rt> the ridgy banks divide ; 
 Afcend'mg fails the opening pafs purfue, 
 And waft the fparkling treafures of Peru. 
 Jeneiro's flream from Plata winds his way, 
 And bold Madiera opes from Paraguay. 
 From fair Albania, tow'rd the falling fun, 
 Back thro* the midland, lengthening channels run, 
 Meet the far lakes, their beauteous towns that lave, 
 And Hudfon join to broad Ohio's wave. 
 From dim Superior, whofe unfathorn'd fea 
 Drinks the mild fplendors of the fetting day, 
 New paths, unfolding, lead their watery pride, 
 And towns and empires rife along their fide ; 
 To Miflifippi's fource the paries bend, 
 And to the broad Pacific main extend. 
 From the red banks of blefl Arabia's tide, 
 Thro' the dread Ifthmus, waves unwonted glide ; 
 
BOOK IX. 247 
 
 From Europe's crouded coafts while bounding fails 
 Look through the pafs and call the Afian gales, 
 Volga and Oby diftant oceans join, 
 And the long Danube meets the rolling Rhine ; 
 While other dreams that cleave the midland plain, 
 Spread their new courfes to the diftant main. 
 
 He faw the 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 heaven afcend ; 
 Bid each fond wifh, that leads the foul abroad, 
 Breathe to all men, to nature and to God. 
 
 He faw, where pale difeafes, wont to brave 
 The pride of art, and croud the untimely grave, 
 With long-wrought life the nations learn to glow, 
 And blooming health adorn the locks of mow, 
 A countlefs train the healing fcience aid, 
 Its power eftablifh. and its blefilngs fpread ; 
 In every fhape, that varying matter gives, 
 That relis or ripens, vegetates or lives, 
 By chymic power the (firings of health they trace, 
 And add new beauties to the joyous race. 
 
 While thus the realms their mutual glories lend, 
 Unnumber'd fires the cares of date attend ; 
 Bled with each human art, and fkill'd to find, 
 Each wild device that prompts the wayward mind ; 
 W r hat foft reftra+nts the untemper'd breaft requires, 
 To tafte new joys and cherifli new defires, 
 
24* BOOK IX* 
 
 Expand the felfifh to the fecial flame, 
 
 And fire the foul to deeds of nobler fame. 
 
 They fee, in all the boafted paths of praife, 
 
 What partial views heroic ardor raife ; 
 
 What mighty dates on others' ruins flood, 
 
 And built, fecure, their haughty feats in blood ; 
 
 How public virtue's ever-borrow'd name 
 
 With proud applaufe hath graced the deeds offhames 
 
 Bade Rome's imperial dandard wave fublime, 
 
 And patriot flaughter fpread to every clime ; 
 
 From chief to chief, the kindling fpirit ran, 
 
 The heirs of fame and enemies of man. 
 
 Where Grecian dates in even balance hung, 
 And warm'd with jealous fires the fage's tongue, 
 The exclufive ardor cherim'd in the bread 
 Love to one land, and hatred to the red. 
 And where the flames of civil difcord rage, 
 And kindred arms deductive combat wage, 
 The unchanging virtue rifes, dili the fame, 
 To build a Cromwell's as a Charles's name, 
 
 No more the noble patriotic mind, 
 To narrow views and local laws confined, 
 'Gaind neighbouring lands directs the public rage, 
 Plods for a realm or counfels for an age ; 
 But lifts a larger thought, and reaches far, 
 Beyond the power, beyond the wifh of war ; 
 For realms and ages forms the general aim, 
 Makes patriot views and moral views the fame, 
 
BOOK IX. 249 
 
 Sees with prophetic eye in peace combined, 
 
 The ftrength and happinefs of human-kind. 
 Now had the hero, with delighted eye, 
 
 Roved o'er the climes, that lengthen^ round the fky -, 
 
 When the bleft Guide his heavenly power dilplay'd, 
 
 The earth all trembles and the vifions fade : 
 
 Thro' other fcenes defcending ages roll, 
 
 And ftill new wonders open on his foul. 
 
 Again his view the range of nature bounds, 
 
 Confines the concave and the world furrounds ; 
 
 When the wide nations all arife more near, 
 
 And a mixt 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, 
 
 Hoarfe roll'd the loud-toned undulating roar. 
 
 At length the founds, like human voices, rife, 
 And different nations' undiftinguihYd cries 
 Flow from all climes around in wild career, 
 And orate harfh difcord in the aching ear. 
 Now more diftinct the wide concufllon, grown., 
 Rolls forth, at times, an accent like his own ; 
 While thoufand tongues from different regions pour, 
 And drown all words in one convulfing roar. 
 By turns the founds affimilating rife, 
 And fmoother voices gain upon the fkies ; 
 Mingling and foftercing dill, in every gale, 
 O'er the harfh tones harmonious drains prevail. 
 
 I i 
 
250 BOOK IX. 
 
 At lad a Ample, univerfal found 
 Fills every clime and foothes the world around ; 
 From echoing fhores the fwelling ftrain replies, 
 And moves melodious o'er the warbling ileies. 
 
 Such wild commotions as he heard and view'd, 
 In fixt aftonilhment the hero flood, 
 And thus befought the Guide : Celeftial friend, 
 What good to man can thefe dread fcenes intend ? 
 What dire diitrefs attends that boding found, 
 That breathes hoarfe thunder o'er the trembling 
 War fure has ceafed; or have my erring eyes [ground: 
 Mifread the glorious vifions of the fkies ? 
 Tell then, my Seer, if future earthquakes fleep, 
 Clofed in the confeious caverns of the deep, 
 Waiting the day of vengeance, when to roll, 
 And rock the rending pillars of the pole ? 
 Or tell if ought, more dreadful to my race, 
 In thefe dark figns, thy heavenly wifdom trace I 
 And why the wild confufion melts again, 
 In the fmooth glidings of a tuneful ftrain ? 
 
 The voice of Heaven replied ; Thy fears give o'er ; 
 The rage of war fhall fweep the plains no more 5 
 No dire diftrefs thefe ftrange events foredoom, 
 But give the marks of nobler joys to come ; 
 The tongues of nations, here, harmonious blend, 
 Till one pure language thro' the earth extend. 
 
 Thou knoweft, when impious Babel dared arife, 
 With facred rites to grace the fcarry flcie$j 
 
BOOK IX. 251 
 
 Tumultuous difcord feized the trembling bands, 
 Oppofed their labours and unnerved their hands, 
 Difperfed the bickering tribes, and drove them far, 
 To roam the wade and fire their fouls for war ; 
 Bade kings arife, and from their feats be huiTd, 
 And pride and conqueft range the extended world. 
 
 In this the marks of heavenly wifdom fhine, 
 And fpeak the counfel, as the hand, divine. 
 In that far age, when o'er the world's broad wafte, 
 Surrounding fnades their gloomy horrors cad, 
 If men, while pride and power the bread inflamed, 
 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. 
 Fixt in a central fpot their luft of power 
 Would rage infatiate, and the race devour ; 
 A howling wafte the unpeopled world remain, 
 And oceans roll, and climes extend in vain. 
 
 Far other counfel 3, in die Eternal Mind, 
 Lead on the unconfeious fteps of human kind ; 
 O'errule 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 ; 
 Tempt the wide wave and warm the genial foil, 
 To crown with fruits the hardy hand of toil, 
 Divide their forces,- wheel the conquering car, 
 Deal mutual death, and civilize bv war. 
 
252 
 
 BOOK IX, 
 
 And now the effects, thro* every land, extend, 
 Thefe dread events have found their fated end -, 
 Unnumber'd tribes have dared the favage wood, 
 And dreams unnumber'd fwell'd with human blood, 
 Increafing nations with the years of time, 
 Spread their wide walks to each delighted clime, 
 To mutual wants their bartered tributes paid, 
 Their counfels foften'd and their wars allay'd ; 
 While powerful commerce bids the flag unroll, 
 And wave the union of the accordant whole. 
 
 "At this bleft period, when thy peaceful race 
 Shall fpeak one language and one caufe embrace, 
 Science and arts a fpeedier courfe ihall find, 
 And open earlier on the infant mind. 
 No foreign terms (hall croud with barbarous rules. 
 The dull, unmeaning pageantry of fchools \ 
 Nor dark authorities, nor names unknown 
 Fill the learn'd head with ign'rance not its own ; 
 But truth's fair eye, with beams unclouded, fhine, 
 And fimpleft rules her moral lights confine ; 
 One living language, one unborrow'd drefs 
 Her boldeft flights with happieft force exprefs ; 
 Triumphant virtue, in the garb of truth, 
 Win a pure paflfage to the heart of youth, 
 Pervade all climes, where funs or oceans roll, 
 And bid the gofpel cheer the illumined whole. 
 As the glad day-ftar, on his golden throne, 
 Fair type of truth and promife of the fun, 
 
BOOK IX, 253 
 
 Smiles up the orient, in his rofy ray, 
 Illumes the front of heaven, and leads the day 5 
 Thus foaring Science daughter of the Ikies, 
 Firft o'er the nations bids her beauties rife, 
 Prepares the glorious way, to pour abroad 
 The beams of Heaven's own morn, the fpiendors of a 
 Then bled Religion leads the raptured mind, [God. 
 Thro' brighter fields and pleafures more refined - y 
 Teaches the roving eye, at one broad view, 
 To glance o'er time and look Exiflence thro', 
 See worlds, and worlds, to Being's fonniefs end, 
 With all their hefts, on one dread Power depend, 
 Seraphs and funs and iyftems round him rife, 
 Live in his life and kindle from his eyes, 
 His boundlefs love, his a] i- pervading foul 
 Illume, fublime and harmonize the whole ; 
 Teaches the pride of man to fix its bound, 
 In one fmall point of this amazing round ; 
 To fhrink and re.il, where Heaven has fix'd its fate, 
 A line its fpace, a moment for its date ; 
 Inftructs the heart a nobler joy to tafte, 
 And fhare its feelings with another's breaft, 
 Extend its warmed wifh for all mankind, 
 And catch the image of the Maker's mind ; 
 While mutual love commands all fbrife to ceafe, 
 And earth join joyous in the fongs of peace. 
 Thus heard the chief, impatient to behold 
 The expected years, in all their charms, unfold -, 
 
154 BOOK IX. 
 
 The foul flood fpeaking thro' his gazing eyes, 
 And thus his voice ; Oh, bid the vifions rife ! 
 Command, celeftial guide, from each far pole, 
 The blifsful morn to open on my foul ; 
 And lift thofe fcenes, that ages fold in night, 
 Living, and glorious, to my longing fight ; 
 Let heaven^ unfolding, ope the eternal throne, 
 And all the concave flame in one clear fun ; 
 On clouds of fire, with Angels at his fide, 
 The Prince of peace, the King of Salem ride, 
 With fmiles of love to greet the raptured earth, 
 Call numbering ages to a fecond birth ; 
 With all his white-robed millions fill the train, 
 And here commence the interminable reign. 
 
 Such views,thePower replies,would drown thy fight. 
 And feal thy vifions in eternal night -, 
 Nor Heaven permits, nor Angels can difplay 
 The unborn glories of that blifsful day. 
 Enough for thee, that thy delighted mind, 
 Should trace the deeds and bleflings of thy kind ; 
 That time's defcending vale mould ope fo far, 
 Beyond the reach of wretchednefs and war j 
 Till all the paths in Heaven's extended plan, 
 Fair in thy view mould lead the fleps of man ; 
 Xp form, at lad, in earth's benighted ball, 
 Union of parts and happinefs of all. 
 To thy glad view thefe rolling fcenes have mown, 
 What boundlefs blcfiings thy vail labours crown ; 
 
BOOK D£> 255 
 
 That, with the joys of unborn ages bleft> 
 
 Thy foul, exulting, may retire to reft, 
 
 And find, in regions of unclouded day, 
 
 What heaven's bright walks and endlefs years difplay. 
 
 Behold, once more, around the earth and fky, 
 The laft glad virions wait thy raptured 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, 
 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. 
 Robed in the bloom of ipring's eternal year, 
 And ripe with fruits, the fame glad fields appear, 
 On each long ftrand unnumber'd cities run, 
 Bend their bright 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, 
 And prop the pinions of a broader fail : 
 Sway'd with the floating weight, the ocean toils, 
 And joyous nature's lad perfection fmiles. 
 
 Now, fair beneath his view, the important age 
 Leads the bold actors on a broader ftao;e ; 
 When, clothed majeftic in the robes of ftate, 
 Moved by one voice, in general council meet 
 The fathers of all empires : 'twas the place, 
 Near the fir ft footfteps of the human race ; 
 
256 BOOK IX. 
 
 Where wretched men, firil wandering from their God, 
 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 rime, 
 A fpacious ftrucxure rofe, fublimely great, 
 The lafb refort, the unchanging fcene of date- 
 On rocks of adamant the walls afcend, 
 Tall columns heave, and Parian arches bend j 
 High o'er the golden roofs, the rifing fpires, 
 Far in the concave meet the folar fires ; 
 Four blazing fronts, with gates unfolding high r 
 Look, with immortal fplendor, round the Iky : 
 Hither the delegated fires afcend, 
 And all the cares of every clime attend. 
 As the fair flrft-born melTengers of heaven, 
 To whom the care of ftars and funs is give'n, 
 When the laft circuit of their winding fpheres 
 Hath finifh'd time and mark'd their fum of years* 
 From all the bounds offpace (their labours done) 
 Shall wing their triumphs to the eternal throne ; 
 Each, from his far dim fky, illumes the road, 
 And fails and centres tow'rd the mount of God ; 
 There, in mid heaven, their honoured feats to fpread, 
 And ope the untarnifh'd volumes of the dead : 
 So, from all climes of earth, where nations rife, 
 Or lands or oceans bound the incumbent fkics, 
 Wing'd with unwonted fpeed, the gathering throng, 
 in fhips and chariots, fhape their courfe along ; 
 
BOOK IX; 257 
 
 Till, wide o'er earth and fea, they win their way, 
 
 Where the bold ftructure flames againft the day ; 
 
 There, hail the fplendid feat by Heaven affign'd, 
 
 To hear and give the counfels of mankind. 
 
 Now the dread concourfe, in the ample dome, 
 
 Pour thro' the arches and their feats aflume ; 
 
 Far as the extended eye can range around, 
 
 Or the deep trumpet's folemn voice refound, 
 
 Long rows of reverend fires, fublime, extendi 
 
 And cares of worlds on every brow fufpend. 
 
 High in the front, for manlier virtues known, 
 
 A fire elect, in peerlefs grandeur, monej 
 
 And rifing oped the univerfal caufe, 
 
 To give each realm its limit and its laws ; 
 
 Bid the 1 aft breath of dire contention ceail*, 
 
 And bind all regions in the leagues of peace, 
 
 Bid one great empire, with extenfive fway, 
 
 Spread with the fun and bound the walks of daw 
 
 One centred fyftem, one all-ruling foul, 
 
 Live thro' the parts, and regulate the whole. 
 
 Here, faid the Angel with a blifsful fmile, 
 
 Behold the fruits of thy unwearied toil. 
 
 To yon far regions of defcending day, 
 
 Thy fwelling pinions led the untrodden way, 
 
 Ami taught mankind adventurous deeds to dare, 
 
 To trace new feas and peaceful empires rear ; 
 
 Hence, round the 'globe, their rival fails, unfurl'd, 
 
 Have waved, at laft, in union o'er the world. 
 
 K k 
 
258 BOOK IX. 
 
 Let thy delighted foul no more complain, 
 Of dangers braved and griefs endured in vain, 
 Of courts infidious, envy's poifon'd ftings, 
 The lofs of empire and the frown of kings ; 
 While thefe bright fcenes thy glowing thoughts com- 
 To fpurn the vengeance of infuking foes ; [pofe. 
 And all the joys, defcending ages gain, 
 Repay thy labours and remove thy pain. 
 
 The END. 
 
 
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 .Mr. Elilha Coit, Norwich. 
 Mr. Farewell Coit, do. 
 Mr. Simeon Carew, do. 
 Mr. James Chriftie, do. 
 Mr. Wheeler Coit, do. 
 
 Etij. Chapman, Efq. Tolland. 
 , Jabsz Clark, Efq. Windham. 
 
 M. Cleaveland. Efq. Canterb. 
 Mr. Julius Cofwell, N. Fairfield. 
 Mr. Aaron Colman, do. 
 Mr. John Crofbie, Hartford. 
 Doa. Hez. Chaffe, jun. Windfor. 
 Mr. Stephen Clay, Middletown. 
 Capt. Lem. Cleft, Norwalk. 
 
 .Mr. Jofeph Dennifon, N. Haven. 
 
 Mr. Jofeph Drake, do. 
 
 .Mr. BenadamDennifon,Norwich. 
 
 .Mr. James Dole. 
 
 Mr, B. Deane, Mer. Hartford. 
 
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES, 
 
 H. Daggett, Efq. N. Haven.Mr, 
 David Daggett, Efq. do. Mr. 
 S . W. Dana, Efq. Middle-town. 
 
 Hon. O. Ellfworth, Efq. Windfor.Mr. 
 
 D. Everit, Efq. N. Milford.Mr. 
 Mr. Wm. Ellery, Mer. Hartford.Mlfs 
 Mr. John ElliVvorth, E. Windfor. 
 Capt. David Edgar. 
 
 Jabez Fitch, Efq. Greenwich. Mr. 
 Jona. Frilbic, Efq. Norwicn.Mr. 
 Wm. Froit, Efq. 2 copies. Mrs. 
 Mr. E. Fitch, Tutor Y. (Coljege.Mr, 
 
 J. Gordon, Efq. Plainfield. Mr. 
 T. Grofvenor, Efq. Pomfret. 
 C. Goodrich, Efq. Hartford. Mr. 
 
 E. Goodrich, Efq. N. Haven. Mr. 
 M.Grifvvold, jr. Efq. Lyme. Mr. 
 R. Grifwold, Eiq. Norwich 
 
 Iv. Gilbert, Eiq. Hebron. 
 Col. Ebenezer Gray, Windham. Capt. 
 
 His Ex. Sam. Huntington, Norwich. Mr. 
 
 Hon. Benj. Huntington, do. Mr. 
 
 Gen. Jed. Huntington, do. Mr. 
 
 Col. Eben. Huntington, do. Mr. 
 
 Mr. Andrew Huntington, do. Mr. 
 
 Mr. Zach. Huntington, do. Capt 
 Mr. Jabez Huntington, do. 
 
 Mr. Caleb Huntington, do. Capt 
 Mr. Levi Huntington, do. 
 
 Mr. Daniel Huntington, do. Mrs. 
 
 Mr. Jeremiah Harris, do. Doct 
 
 Docl. Nathaniel Hyde, do. Mr. 
 
 Eliihi Hyde, Efq. do. 
 
 
 •Hon." Jabez Hamlin, Middletown.Mr. 
 Rev. Daniel Humphreys, Derby. Mr. 
 Col. David Humphreys, 4 copies. Mr. 
 
 J. Hillhoufe, Efq! N.Haven.Mr. 
 
 Wm. Hillhoufe/ ?Aq. do. 
 Rev. J . Huntington d . d . Covehti yDocl 
 
 Ed. Hinman.Efq.Wocdbur; : . 
 
 D. Humphreys, Efq. Norfolk. Mr. 
 Mr. Benj . Henfhaw, Middletown.Mrs. 
 
 Titus Hofmer, Efq. do. Doa 
 Mr. Benj. Henfhaw, Glaftenbury.Docl 
 Mr. William Higgens, Lyme. 
 
 D. D wight, Mer. Hartford 
 Henry DeWitt, Windham, 
 
 John Ellis, Lifbon. 
 J oh". -I liven. 
 
 Amie Elderkin, Windham. 
 Charlotte Eidetkin. do. 
 
 Jcfiah Faffet, F. 
 
 Chu: 
 
 Jeriiih:: Fox, V 
 
 P. rearing, 3tu. at Law, do. 
 
 Aaron Gager, Norwich. 
 Benj. Gale, Yale-College. 
 S. Grifwold, EaflyMartfoid. 
 Sam. Gray,jun. Windham-, 
 A. Gorham, Stratford. 
 Benj. Gaylord, N. Fairrield. 
 Wm. Gaylord, do. 
 Wait Goodrich, Glaitenbury. 
 
 James Hofmer, Han. 
 
 Daniel Hopkins, do. 
 
 Jofeph Hart, Mer. do. 
 
 Thomas Hildrup, do. 
 
 Nath. Hatch, New-Fairfield. 
 
 Daniel Hinfdale, Hartford. 
 
 M. Holmes, Efq. Willi. ^ton. 
 . James Hooker, Windfor. 
 
 Wenf. Hobby, Middle town. 
 
 Sally Howard, Windham. 
 
 Ho. Hurl beit, uvn. 
 
 Gideon Hawley. 
 
 Levi Holden, Kew-Lcndon. 
 
 Benj. Hanks, Litchfield. 
 Hart, Berlin. 
 
 Noble Hine, I >rd. 
 
 Sam. Hopkins, Go: 
 . Lem. Hopkins, Hartford: 
 [opkins, do. 
 
 Abiel Hoimes, Tutor Y. Col. 
 
 Henry Hill, New-H; 
 , Rene Hopkins. Hart 
 . Timo. Hofmer, Farnlington. 
 . Silas Hartliiorn, Norwich. 
 
 Wm. Judd,Efq.Farmingtcn. J. Ingenol, Efq. N. Haven. 
 
 Wm. lmlay, Efq. Kanicrd. Mr. Hor. Johnfon, Middletown. 
 
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 Mrs. 
 Mr. 
 
 Hon. 
 Rev. 
 
 Doa 
 
 I.Tr. 
 IVLr. 
 Mr. 
 
 Rev. 
 
 Mr! 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Kev. 
 
 Gem 
 
 Doft. 
 Rev. 
 
 Gen. 
 Col. 
 
 Rev. 
 
 Mr. 
 Col. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 John IndiCott, Hartford. Mr. 
 Anna Jepfon, do. 
 Daniel Jones, Mer. do. 
 
 E \\. Kirby, Efq. L'tchneld.Mr. 
 J. 'King, Ridgeftelcl, 2 cop. Mr. 
 Richard Law, New-London. Docl. 
 d. Mr. 
 tiwich. Mr. 
 T. Laarrabe, L . .warn. Mr. 
 
 joihua Lathrop, Norwich. 
 Chrif. Leffingwcl'l, Eiq. do. Mr. 
 Peter Laiunan-, do. Mr. 
 
 Wm, Lemng-weJl., dcf. Mr. 
 
 Win. Lcri- j,. Mr. 
 
 James Lord, 
 
 5 Loom is. 
 
 ■ Lyman, Hartford. 
 r. Mumford, Ef.w Norwich. 
 r,on. 
 W.M q.-Hartf; sco. 
 
 Lis, Sa. brock. 
 N. S liU. Mr. 
 
 j. Morgan, Mer. Hartford. 
 Eben. Man, NV.v-Fairiield.M aj. 
 
 [arih, do. Mr. 
 
 Ii?.ac Savea. 
 
 jofiah Meigs, Lie. do. I I •. 
 
 Eneas - jun. do. Mr. 
 
 Charles Magil, Middletown. Mr. 
 Afaer Miller", Efq, do. Mr. 
 
 J.O.Mo:elv,Eiq/E.HaddamMr. 
 David McCiure,E.Windior. 
 Roger Newbury, Windfof'. Rev. 
 Win. alanford.Mr. 
 
 fdhnOrAorn, wn. Mr. 
 
 }. C. Ogden, New-Haven. Mr. 
 
 S. H. Par.cns, Mi Idletown.Mn 
 
 C-o. Pitkin, Eafi-Kurtford.Capt. 
 
 ]\dps. do. 
 
 Do:t. 
 
 Nathan Perkins, Hartford. Mr." 
 1 Perkins, Bfq. do. Mr. 
 Ch. P won. 
 
 Lwwwwwy.Mr. 
 James Potter, New-^Fairfiel 
 .■Id. 
 . Porier. Saliihury. Mr. 
 William Pain, do. Mr. 
 
 Aaron Payne, do. 
 
 Elijah Janes. 
 
 S. W. Johnfon, Efq. Sratfbrd. 
 
 Walter King, Norwich. 
 Abraham Keeny. 
 
 Jofeph Lynde, do. 
 Samuel Lawrence, do. 
 C. Lowrey, New-Fairfield. 
 William Lyon, New-Haven. 
 Mark Leavenworth, Efq. do. 
 Charles Lathrop, do. 
 Daniel W. Lewis, do. 
 John Leverett, Middletown. 
 Lynde Lord, jun. Litchfield. 
 Brothers in Unity Library, 
 
 Yale-College. 
 Union Librar) , Wethersfield. 
 AmosMead, Efq. Greenwich. 
 Eenj. Mead, Eiq. do. 
 John Mackay, Efq. do. 
 M. Merwin,Efq. Brooklyne. 
 John Meigs, Middletown. 
 J. Morris, jun. E%. Litchfield 
 Tneoph. Munfon, Fairiield. 
 Elihu Mather, Windfor. 
 John McClellen, Norwich. 
 
 Z urdy, do. 
 Edmorid Mead, Greenwich. 
 Andrew Mead, do. 
 Eben. Mead, do. 
 Andrew Miller, do. 
 
 Samuel Nctt, Franklin. 
 Join. Norman, jun. Norwich. 
 
 J. Ogden, Mer. Hartford. 
 Dan, el Oicott, do. do. 
 
 S. W. Pomeroy, Hartford. 
 Samuel Potter, Branford, 
 Jared Potter, Wallingford. 
 Allen Prier, Windfor. 
 Jer. Piatt, Mer. New Haven. 
 Jabez Perkins, Efq. Norwich. 
 Jofeph Perkins, do. 
 Joihua Pico, do. 
 Nathan Peters, Efq. Prefron. 
 Efifha Perkinsjun. Plain field. 
 J. E. Porter, New-Haven. 
 
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 Maj. 
 Capt, 
 
 Maj. 
 Mr. 
 Hon. 
 Rev. 
 
 Hon. 
 Gen. 
 
 Gen. 
 Rev. 
 
 Maj . 
 
 Rev. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Gen. 
 
 Col. 
 Col. 
 
 Maj. 
 
 Tap. Reeve, Efq. Litchfield. 
 jer. Ripley, Efq. Coventry. Mr. 
 Hez. Rogers, Norwalk. Mr. 
 Jed. Rogers, do. Mr. 
 
 M. T. Ruffe!!, Efq.Midd!. Mr. 
 John Ripley, Windham. Mr. 
 W. F. Rowland, Windfor. Mr. 
 Roger Sherman, NewHaven. 
 E. Stiles, d. d. Pr. Y. Coll. 
 Thomas Seymour, Hartford. 
 Heman Swift, Cornwall. 
 D. Sherman, Efq. Woodbury. 
 Comfort Sage, Middletown. 
 Nathan Strong, Hartford. 
 C. Southworth, Efq. Maftsfi. 
 Reuben Sikes, Efq. Somers. 
 T. Y. Seymour, Efq. Hartf. 
 Ezekiel Scott, Farrnington. 
 Zeph. Swift, Efq. Windham. 
 Sam. Stebbins, Simfburv. 
 Thomas Stedman, Windham. 
 
 Rev. 
 Hon. 
 
 Hon. 
 
 "Col. 
 Maj. 
 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Docl 
 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 
 Dyer Throop, Eaft-Haddam 
 Jona. Trumbull, Lebanon. 
 B. Tallmadge, Litchfield, 4. 
 Wra. Thomfon, Hartford. 
 H. Thomfon , Eiq. Woodbury 
 Cri. Tracy, Eiq. Litchfield. 
 
 Benoni Upfon, Berlin. 
 
 Oliver Wolcott, Lieut. Gov 
 
 Litchfield. 
 Wm. Williams, Lebanon. 
 J . Wadfworth,Hartford,5o co. 
 John P. Wyllys, do. 
 Wm. Wolcott, Efq. Windfor. 
 Alex. Wolcott, Eiq. do. 
 E. Williams, Efq. Wethersf. 
 Sol. Willes, Eiq. Tolland: 
 Wm. Whitman, Efq. do. 
 Ol. \Yolcott,jun. Eiq. Hartf. 
 N. Webfter,j'uh.Efq!do. 2co. 
 J. Webb, Mer. Wetncrsfield. 
 J. Watfon,Mer. E. Windfor. 
 John Wood, L? anbury. 
 
 D. Wright, London. 
 
 E. Woodru iddleto 
 E. Williams , jun. 
 James Wells, Mer. Hartford, 
 Fred. Wolcott, Litch 
 Samuel Young, N. Fairfield. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Doa. 
 Col. 
 
 Doa. 
 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Capt. 
 
 Capt. 
 
 Doa. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Doa. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 .Mr. 
 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Capt 
 
 .Rev. 
 Doa. 
 Mr. 
 
 Eph. Root, Efq. Hartford. 
 Hez. Ripley, Windham. 
 Jof. Ruggles, 3d, New-Milf. 
 Tim. Rockwell, Colebrook. 
 John W. Ruffell. 
 S. Reynolds, New-Fairfield. 
 John Raymond, do. 
 
 Dan. Smith, Mer. Hartford. 
 Smith Sc Phelps, do. do. 
 
 Richard Skinner, jun. 
 Ifaac Stiles, Efq. Tolland. 
 Reuben Smith, Litchfield. 
 Ifaac Sherman, New-Haven. 
 Daniel Sheldon, Litchfield. 
 Thomas Sheldon, do. 
 Kirlgib. Sandiord, Franklin. 
 . 1 Smith, Woodbury. 
 John Salter, NewHaven. 
 Tim. Shalcr, Middletown. 
 , William Stanton, Litchfield. 
 
 Timothy Taylor, Danbury. 
 Philip Turner, Norwich. 
 Eliiha Tracy, Franklin. 
 Dan. Tiler, jun. Brooklyne. 
 Lem. Thomas, NewMilford. 
 Nathaniel Terry, Hartford* 
 
 L. Wadf.vorth, Farrnington. 
 D. Wood, Efq. Greenwich. 
 Horatio Wales, Hartford. 
 Aihbel Wells, jun. Mer. do. 
 Peter Webb, Mer. Windham. 
 Jof. Williams, do. Norwich. 
 Hezekiah Woodruff, do. 
 Hezekiah Williams, do. 
 John Welch, Litchfield. 
 Samuel Wheeler, do. 
 Elijah Wadfvorth, do. 
 J. Walker, Eiq. Stratford, 2. 
 W. J. Whiting,* Efq. N. Haven 
 John Wood worth, do. 
 
 F. J. Whiting, Danbury, 2. 
 James Waring, Stamford. 
 Jofiah Whitney, Pomfret. 
 
 igenca W T aldo, do. 
 J. A. Whiting, Middletown. 
 C. Whittleiy, Efq'. do. 
 
 G. $ A. Wells, Glaltenbury. 
 
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES, 
 
 State of New-York. 
 
 Mr. C.W.Apthorp,Mer.N.YorkDoct. Enfebius Auftin, GoOien. 
 Mr. T. Allen, Bookiellor, do. 24. 
 
 Hon. Egbert Benfon, N. York, 2. Mr. James Bleecker, Albany. 
 
 Col. Andrew Boitwick, do. 2. Mr. liaac H. Bogart, do. 
 
 Maj. David Brooks, do. 2. Col. Aaron Burr, New-York. 
 
 Robert Benfon, Eiq. do. 2. Jared Bancker, Efq. do. 
 
 Mr. John Bleecker, Mer. Albany. Mr. A- Billings, Poughkeepfie, 2. 
 
 His Ex. Geo. Clinton, N. York, 4. Mr. W. Conftable, Mer. N.York. 
 
 £>ocl. James Cogfwell, do. Mr. John Cox, do. do. 3. 
 
 Mr. David Culley, Claverack. Mr. John M. Carter, do. 
 
 Capt. S. Cogfwel, Lanfingburgh. Mr. Edward Cumpton, Albany. 
 
 Hon. J. Duane, Mayor, N. York.Mr. J. D. P. Douvv, Mer. Albany. 
 
 Hon. William Duer, do. 2. Mr. J. K. Durgee, New-York. 
 
 Simeon DeWitt, Efq. do. 2. Col, Lewis Dubois, do. 2. 
 Mr. Verdine Ellfworth, N.York: 
 
 T. V.W . Grajiam, Efq. Alba. J. G. Graham, Poughkeepfie 
 
 Ezek. Gilbert, Eiq. Hudfoa. 
 
 Hon. J. S.Hobart, New-York. Capt. J.Hoogland,Lanfingburg, 3 
 Hon. Alex. Hamilton, do. 2. Mr. Ala Hiliiar, Eait-Kampton. 
 Col. James M. Hughes, do. 2. Col. Udny Hay, Fort-Edward, 2. 
 J. Honeywood, Efq. Salem. Mr. Robert Henry, Mer. Albany. 
 
 Fred. Jay, Efq. New- York. Capt. T. T. Jackfon,Rynebeck,2. 
 Col. John Jamefon, do. 4. 
 
 Hon. R R. Livingfton, N. York. Gilbert Livingfton, Efq. do. 
 
 Hon. John Lanfmg, jun. Albany. Capt. Robert H. Livingfton, do. 
 
 A. G. Lanfmg, Efq. do. J. Lawrence, Efq. N. York. 
 
 Col. Brock. Livingfton, N. York. John Lovett, Efq. Albany. 
 
 Maj. H. Living iron, Poughkeepfie. 
 
 Hon. R. Morris, Ch.Juf N.York. Rev. Sol. Mead, Salem. 
 Docl. Wm. Mead; Scnna£lada. Rev. Enoch Mead, do. 
 Capt. Tho. Mackin, Newburg, 6. Mr. Aaron Mead, do. 
 
 Maj. Jofeph Pettengill, Newburg. Mr. Jabez Peck, E. Hampton, 3. 
 
 Hon. Melan Smith, New- York. Capt. Char. Selden, Lanfingburg. 
 Hon. John M. Scott, do. Capt. Horace Seymour, do. 2. 
 
 Docl Eben. Sage, Eafc-Hampton. Richard Sill, Efq. Albany. 
 
 Docl Wm. P Smith, New- York. P,B. TenBroeck, Efq. Clav. 
 
 Hon. Abr. TenBroeck, Albany. Capt. H. Ten Eyck, Schana&ady. 
 DocL P, Tapper, Poughkeepfie, 2. John Taylor, Efq. Albany. 
 
 Gen. R. Van RemTelaer, Claverack Abraham Van Vechten, Efq. 
 Col H J. Van Ren*Te!aer, do. Montgonu \ 
 
 Maj. J. Van RenfTelaer, do. Stephen Van RenfTe-Iaer, Efq. 
 Mr. J.J.VanRenffelaer Albany, 4. Albany, 3 copies. 
 
 Col. Richard Varick, N.York, 4. Mr. James Vernon, Saratoga. 
 
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 Hon. Henry Wifener, Gofhen, David Wolfe, Efq. 
 
 Gen. S. B. Webb, New- York. Capt. Wm. Watfon, Schohary, 6. 
 
 H.Wifenerjun.Efq.Wallkill.Mr. Thomas Waters, Gofhen. 
 
 R.H.Wendall,Ei'q. Albany. Mr. C. R. Webfter, £ibany, 6. 
 Col. Benj. Walker, N. York, 2. Mr. Profper Wctmcre, N. York. 
 Hon. Robert Yates, New- York, 2.D0&. Jofeph Young, do. 
 
 State of N^w-Jersey. 
 Hon. D.BrearlyjCh. J uf. Trenton .Hon. E. Boadir.ot, Elifabethtown. 
 Hon. John Cox, Bloomfbury. Col. J. Covenhoven, Monmouth. 
 Col. J. Cuinming, Elifabethtown. 
 
 Jona. Deare, Efq. Princeton.Mr. George Davis, Trenton. 
 Capt. Jon. Dayton, Elifabethtown. 
 Maj. Thomas Egbert, Princeton. 
 Dod. Samuel Finley, Salem, 2. Col. Moore Furman, Pittstown. 
 
 W.C.Houfton, Efq. Trenton. Mr. Abraham Hunt, Trenton. 
 Mr. Anthony Joline, Trenton. 
 His Ex. Wm. Livingflon, Elifabethtown, 2. 
 Col. George Morgan, Trenton. Capt. William Martin. 
 Gen. Matt. Ogden, Elifabethtown. A. Ogden,Efq. Elifabethtown 
 
 Mr. John Peck. 
 
 Bowes Read, Efq. Burlington. John Rutherford, Efq. 
 
 Mr. J. Riddle, Pro. Math. Princeton. 
 
 Rev. S. S. Smith, Vice Pref. Coll. W. P. Smith, Efq. Newark. 
 
 Princeton. Sam. \V. Stockton, Trenton. 
 
 Mrs. Stockton, ?vforven, Princeton. Col. J. Elifabethtown. 
 
 Matthias Williamfon, Efq. Wiliiamltown. 
 
 State of Pennsylv* 
 
 Gen. J. Armftrong, Philadelphia, Mr. Stephen Aurlin, Merch. do. 
 Rev. John Andrews, D. D. do. 
 
 Hon. William Bingham, do. 2 co. R. Bache, Efq. do. 
 
 Hon. John Byard, do. John Baylcv, Efq. 
 
 Rev. Robert Blackwcll, do. Mr. G. Budd, Mer. Philadelphia. 
 
 Ralph Bowie, Efq. do. Dod. Barnabns Binny, do. 
 
 Mr. J. Caldwell, Philadelphia. Mr. Henry Capper, Mcrch. do. 
 George Campbell, Efq. do. Mr. James Campbell, do. do. 
 
 Sharp Delane, Efq. do. Mr. T. Dcbfon, Bookf.do. 12 co. 
 John Donnaldfon, Efq. do. 
 
 His Excel. Benj. Franklin, do. 6co. T. Fitz Simmons, Efq. do. 
 
 Docl. James F. Finley do. 
 
 Jacob Hiltfheimer, Efq. do. George Henry, Efq. do. 
 
 Samuel Hodgdon, Eiq. do. George Hugnes, Eiq. do. 
 
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 Col. 
 Mr. 
 Mr. 
 Rev 
 
 Maj, 
 Col. 
 
 Gen. 
 
 Rev. 
 Mr. 
 
 diaries W. Peale, do. 
 W.Priehard, Bookfel.do. 12. 
 
 Francis Johrifon, do. Maj. William Jackfon, do. 
 
 Benjamin Kite, Frankford. 
 
 Jame^ Lockwood, Mer. Philadelphia. 
 
 Samuel Magaw, D. D. do. Col. Samuel Miles, do. 
 William Mumford, Efq. do. John Mitchell, Efq. do. 
 
 W. Mcrherfon, do. 
 
 Timothy Pickering, do. Mr. 
 Thomas Paine, Efq. do. Mr. 
 Samuel Powell, Efq. do. 
 
 D. RittenJKJafe, Efq. do. 2 co.Doct. Thomas Rufton, do. 
 
 Walter Steward, do. Maj. John Story, do. 
 
 Sproat, D. D. do. Mr. Tho Seddons,Bookfeller,d(3r. 
 
 W.Spotfwood,Book.do. 6co. Benjamin Steele, Efq. do. 
 
 Sam. Vaughn, jun. Efq. do. 
 
 John Young, Efq. do. Mr. W. Young, Bookf, do. 1 2 co. 
 
 State of Maryland. 
 £. DeCourcyjEfq.Q^A. County. 
 
 lion. 
 
 Doct 
 
 W. Fell, Efq. Baltim. 6 co. 
 
 J- Hanfon,latePr ofCong. 6, 
 G.F. Hawkins, Efq. Potow. 2. 
 W. Hiadman, EiqTa-1. Coun. 
 
 J. Loyd, Efq. Kent County. 
 Aquiia Paca,Efq. Annapolis. 
 R.Ravens,Efq.St.Ma.Coun. 
 M. J.Stone,Efq. Ch. County. 
 J.T.Chace, Efq. Annapolis. 
 
 State o ? 
 B. Brown, Efq. Windfor. 
 Daniel Farrand, Efq. do. 
 William Gould, Maachefter. 
 
 Additional 
 Williams, Efq. Bermuda. Mr, 
 
 
 Perez Morton, Efq. Bofton 
 
 
 
 Joieph Barrel, Efq. do. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Rev. 
 
 Mr. Clarke, do. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Hon. 
 
 William Pierce, Georgia. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 
 James Seagrove, Efq. do. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Maj. 
 
 John Webb, do. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Maj. 
 
 E. Kaikell, Bofton. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Rev. 
 
 John Elliot, do. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 
 Daniel Kilikarn, do. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 
 Andrew Hall, do. 
 
 
 
 Nathan Bond, do. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 W. Fitzhugh, Efq. Pr.Geo' 
 
 James Hindman, Efq. do. 
 R.Henderfon, Elq. Bradenib. 
 
 R. Ridgeley, Efq. Ball Town. 
 J. M. Stone, Efq. Annapolis. 
 
 Ve R MONT. 
 
 S. Jacob, Efq.S.Attor.Wind. 
 Briant Wait, Efq. do. 
 
 List. 
 
 William Little, do. 
 John Joy, do. 
 B. Larkin, Bookfeller. do. 
 
 A. Robbins, Tut. Prov. Col. 
 Abel Flint, do. do. 
 Benjamin Carter, do. 
 
 I. C. Nightingale, do. 
 Levi Hays, do. 
 
 Nath. Drinkwater, do. 
 Milton Mann, do. 
 T. Poller, Efq. Providence. 
 
 B. Wheeler, do. 2 copies. 
 

 
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