U N I VE.RS ITY Of ILLINOIS 82.1 K5llc Digitized by the Internet Archive , in 2016 https://archive.org/details/columbiadpoem00ritc_0 THE COLUMBIAD, 91 pom. BY ARCHIBALD TUCKER RITCHIE. Me Parnassi deserta per ardua dulcis Rap tat amor : juvet ire jugis, qua nulla priorum, Castalium molli divertitur orbito clivo. Virg. But the commanding Muse my chariot guides, Which o’er the dubious cliff securely rides ; And pleased I am no beaten road to take, But first the way to new discov’ries make. Dry DEN'. LONDON: SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL. 1841 }. London : Printed by Stewart and Murray, Old Bailey. 13 /V'ov/X \ UL 82 I Rjriic PREFACE. 3 ? v_y ro r\ <3 2 It is not my intention, when offering the Colum- biad to the public, to make any apology; for if it be worthy of attention, it will require none : if it should not, any apology I can offer will not remedy the defect. Far less do I intend to seek shelter under the plea of having been induced to publish it at the solicitation of my friends : they knew nothing whatever of my intention. There is one point, however, on which I con- sider it requisite to give some explanation. I allude to the similarity which exists in the plan, and some of the first parts of this Canto, to the great type of all seafaring scenes sung in verse — Falconer's Shipwreck. I advocate, on all occasions, a strict adherence to candour, and in no instance, perhaps, will it be IV PREFACE. found more becoming than on the present. When I commenced this Poem to assist in beguiling; the tedium of a protracted voyage, there was a copy of The Shipwreck on board, and I read it then for the first time. The remarkable coincidence of our fate, and, perhaps, the facility of finding a plan already laid down, so easy of adoption, induced me to model the commencement of the first Canto somewhat after it. On reaching our destination, and being engaged in more active pursuits, I discontinued writing ; and on the return voyage, I dedicated my attention to another part of the Poem, leaving the former unfinished and in outline only until last year, when circumstances, which it is un- necessary to detail, induced me to resume and finish it. During the long period which inter- vened — nearly eighteen years — I neither looked at nor thought of it, nor did ten lines of poetry of any description pass through my imagination. My mind was occupied with matters of a very different description. This protracted intermis- sion caused me to forget how near I had adhered to the plan laid down by Falconer. I neither remembered my own verses nor his sufficiently to PREFACE. V be aware how closely I had followed his footsteps. To remedy this, I procured a copy of The Ship- wreck , and on a comparison I suppressed several passages which I thought too servile an imitation. Others, giving a description of the ship, those on board, and the disasters we suffered, I allowed to remain, from the self-satisfying palliative, that as all ships have the same essential requisites in common, and gales of wind deal pretty much in the same way with vessels which they overtake on a lee shore, there was no more reason why I should not attempt to describe these circumstances poetically, than that actual occurrences should have been suppressed on the log-book, because log-books are kept on board of other vessels where their proceedings are likewise recorded. This appears all that is necessary to be said on this point. And I fondly hope, that after a lapse of so many years since the dangers of the watery waste have been attempted in verse, some small share of that favour with which The Shipwreckvt&s received may be awarded to that which I now offer to the public. It would be extremely gratifying to me to be made aware, that any thing which the Columbia!) VI PREFACE. contains, should have the effect of curtailing, or assisting to put an entire stop to the wholesale traffic in opium now so prevalent ; and the more so as I should consider it a slight reparation for having at one time, although to a very limited extent, trafficked in this drug amongst the Malays. This very questionable branch of British commerce is much to be deplored as regards China. It is both to be deplored and dreaded as regards the Malayan Peninsula and Archipelago ; for there, the population of their thousand and one Islands, brought into closer and more intimate communi- cation with the strangers who visit and who dwell amongst them than in China, cannot be narcotised by this abominable drug, without incurring the certainty of bringing down condign retribution upon those who administer the means of exciting their most dangerous passions ! And thus, from motives of no higher, or more spiritual import, should it be the concern of all who feel an interest in their own and their coun- try’s welfare, to do what in them lies to put a stop to this demoralizing traffic. While those who can raise their souls to look beyond the present, ought to be doubly zealous in endeavour- PREFACE. Yll ing to put a stop to it if possible, as it forms one of the greatest obstacles to the spread of the gospel amongst the deluded nations of the East ; for none are willing to receive the Bible from the right hand of those whose left is occupied in forcing the clandestine commerce of a drug which destroys alike the energies of the soul and body ! Should the cosmographical views which I have ventured to unfold towards the conclusion of this Canto, be considered by any of my readers to be extreme, I have to beg their indulgent forbearance until the subject be thoroughly investigated, as I feel assured, it will eventually be found, that the tact of there having been a long, but, as far as we can at present determine, an indefinite period during which the Earth did not rotate round its axis, is that alone which can thoroughly reconcile the Works and the Word of the Great Creator ; and that this dogma does fill up the present chasm in our knowledge which is required to make both be at one. In conclusion, I beg to point out, that I have endeavoured on every possible occasion to direct the spirit upwards to the Fountain of all true confidence and happiness; for, without the soul- Vlll PREFACE. sustaining conviction of a superintending and beneficent Providence, this world presents to the minds of its inhabitants little else than a wide and pathless waste over which they seem to travel without a competent guide, and without a deter- minate course ! But when viewed with reference to a higher overruling Power — such as He Himself has been graciously pleased to reveal to us — every thing appears in a different light; the parts are found to be perfectly proportioned to each other, and to blend together harmoniously. The path is seen to be marked out with undeviating precision, and the re-assured traveller becomes persuaded of the satisfying truth, that he is journeying under the direction of an Omniscient Guide to those regions where all is eternal happiness and peace. Greenwich, Dec. 1842 . PROEM. When youth in slothful pleasure time beguiles, And wastes his prime inglorious, on her smiles, Or, held by gentler bonds, ne’er seeks to roam, Content to waste life’s buoyant days at home In selfish ease, unknown to danger’s way. And swathed in luxury from day to day, — To minds thus fettered, how unknown must be The lot of those who vent’rous brave the sea, In fortune’s train, a competence to earn, The world to read, or fellow-man to learn ; Ambition’s foot-ball, or the slave of time. Alike enticed to visit every clime ; For ever striving, e’er with toils o’erspent, One object gained, but still on others bent, Urged on by avarice ; and led by hope Their way through darkest dangers blind to grope. B 2 PROEM. Until misfortunes, in dim horrors dressed, Assail their path, their worldly course arrest ! Hail, then, thou solace of their forlorn way ! The Spirit’s sunbeam on their gloomy day ! — Soft Pity, hail ! who dost on sorrow wait. And gently binds the bleeding wounds of fate. When Heaven, sweet Maid ! did thee on man bestow, Godlike the gift, and eased was half his woe : But should remorseless man, with savage heart. Resist thy power, when pleading woes impart A care-worn tale, in modest language couched, By truth confirmed, by sad experience vouched ; Still in the bosom of the softer fair — Thy sister woman,- — thou canst harbour there ; Increased in lustre by her generous aid, Thy rays shall light misfortune’s deepest shade. And kindly cheer the weary wanderer’s soul. When dangers cease, and overcoming toil. To bless th’ enjoyment of the hard-earned fruits Of active enterprise and keen pursuits ; Where, quivering in the balance oft had been Or life or death, with nice divided beam ; Now high in hope, now sunk in deep despair. Obscured by clouds, or shining in the glare ! PROEM. 3 What though the ills exceed the good that’s mix’d, Severer still, to be for ever fixed To some dull spot, where Sloth triumphant sways, And sure foundation of all evil lays — With fondest care doth vice and folly nurse. And all the ills permitted man to curse. But spurning scenes inglorious e’en to thought, To train the mind by enterprise we sought, And, self-command and prompt decision gained, All overweening passions strictly reined. For warm ’s the blood that flows through danger’s heart, When hardships come, it nobly bears its part ; And should misfortune, in the general plan Of Providence, assail a brother man, Though struggling too against the worldly wave, Both heart and hand are ever prone to save. ’Tis ours (so trained) from dangers now released, And travel’s gnawing thirst at length appeased, To trace the mazes of our varied way, Where chance, we thought, maintained a dubious sway ; b 2 4 PROEM. When blinded ignorance our souls confined* And Heaven itself was distant from the mind ; While tossed by tempests* and assailed by foes* Wrecked in our hopes* and plunged in deepest woes* We wandered on to lands but little known, And viewed the wonders of each circling zone ; Till sad experience made us sternly know That Heaven directs what happens here below ; — Proved by recital of no fancied theme. No night illusion, nor no mid-day dream ; But actual all* in every line we trace The teeming actions of a ling’ring space ; In the fond hope* that some unconscious lip May taste the moral* while the tale they sip, And fixed beyond retraction’s barb remain, Though the rude song be simple in its strain ; For since such stirring themes engaged our soul, How oft* exposed to fortune’s blind control ! Doomed e’er to roam through each uncertain clime, From northern snows to equinoxial line ; In search of knowledge zealous to explore, In quest of wealth to seek each anxious shore ; But ever as we roamed the boundless way, Misfortune’s clouds bedimmed the cheerless day. PROEM. 5 And ah ! how oft has misery’s chilling gloom Nipt Fancy’s flowers ere yet they were in bloom ! Then leave, ye critics, your severer laws, And mildly judge our unassuming cause : No holly- wreath our brows ambitious claim ; More emulous still, we seek the soul’s reclaim : And, should we be constrained, in stricter part, Rude names to sing, and ruder terms of art ; On ears nice tuned such jarring sounds may grate ; But truth commands, and all we must relate : For in the mind, as beams of summer day. The crowded scenes in just succession play, In vivid colours with true light and shade. Then come, bright Fancy ! add thy mystic aid, Unroll thy web, with gossamer that vies, On air that floats, with every breath that flies ; Touched with nice skill, display to sudden light Thy fairy scenes to charm the gazer’s sight ; Though, should a hand more rude thy robe invade. To air dissolve, or shrinking, quickly fade. Then come, enchantress, and thou, Memory, too, And give to verse the retrospective view ! But first, ye guardians of melodious song, To whom the sacred springs of verse belong, 6 PROEM. Say, why is commerce yet to you unknown ? No judge appointed from your tuneful throne. To guard the fountain, and direct its course Of good from Heaven to man, a bounteous source? View darker ages, sunk in misery low, Ere social blessings reached them here below. Strangers to each, men often met as foes. Till stricter intercourse from traffic rose. And kinder feelings, based on mutual need, Did falsehood, rapine, and dire hate succeed ; This Commerce wrought, and broke down every fence, And cleared the way through rude domains of sense. The mind to raise, to meliorate the heart, Implant true faith, and root out selfish art ; Till, soft and pure, the soul at length essays To breathe Religion, and receive its rays. Pure are its waters, and of subtile power, Like Spring, or early May-day’s genial shower. Refreshing all, and as they onward roll, Bear richest benefits from pole to pole ; ’Mid verdant banks its limpid waters flow And fairest flowers and fruits luxuriant grow ; PROEM. Soft o’er its bosom sounds the lute of peace, Whose notes melodious echo and increase ; But the rude blast of war flies ruffling, hoarse, Disturbs the current, and destroys the source. No medium state in commerce can be found ; The laws of honour are its strictest bound ; Practised in purity, it leads to joy, But soon to poison turns by base alloy. Should aught that ’s tainted e’er approach its flow, Sudden its touch the least defect will show ; For even sprinkled by the slightest spray. The morbid evil stands exposed to day : Nor yet enough from worse diseases free. No hollowness must lurk within the tree ; For even here the test to wisdom proves The latent fault, and all disguise removes ; E’en though from ills and wants yet far apart : If undue caution rules the sordid heart. And plodders think to wade through mud and ooze, Nor dare the stream, afraid their way to lose, Though sound, determined by the searching test, No pleasure ’s felt, and small their gains at best ; And, though when bold, with steady course they seem To glide, unhallowed men, the rapid stream, 8 PROEM. Though tried, untarnished, if by ^//'impelled, Awhile they float, but soon their vigour’s quelled. But view its chosen sons opposed to these: No prejudices warp, nor fell disease; Not brighter, in the vault of tropic clime, On cloudless eve, does lustrous Vesper shine. To shed on earth its clear and sparkling light, — The fairest star that reigns o’er moonless night! Than they; while charity and honour wreath Their manly brows, and freedom’s tones they breathe ; Boldly they steer, nor dread the rapid tide ; But safe, experienced, o’er its surface glide ; New channels form, feracious streams to bear, Till earth’s extremes the bounteous blessings share; Borne by the sons of commerce and of peace, On whose approach lean want and miseries cease. Hear, then, kind Heaven ! my prayer, and grant thine aid. Yield thy protection to the sons of trade ; But teach them Thou — oh ! let them ne’er forget. Should vices rise , their brilliancy will set ! THE COLUMBIA D. CANTO I.— Part I. ARGUMENT OF CANTO I.— PART I. Departure of the Ship from Bengal — An attempt to describe those who were entrusted with the cargo, and those who had the Command — The Ocean — Speaking a vessel at sea, and the usual occurrences on board thereafter — Adaptation of shipboard for improving the mind — The opportunities it enjoys by the great natural objects presented to it — The firmament — The advantages of geographical knowledge — The benefits that have been conferred on mankind by enlightened and scientific navigators, — Capt. Cook, Capt. Ross, Capt. Parry, and others — Entrance to the Straits of Malacca — The Nicobars — The Cocos and Narcondam — Popular belief of protracted calms off the Island of Pera — Approach to Penang — Sketch of its early History — Description of an opium smoker from similar actual occurrences — The Harbour and Town of Penang described — Departure from it — Prosecution of the voyage through the Straits — Arrival at Malacca — Short description — History traced from the earliest to the resumption of their Eastern possessions by the Dutch — Motives for a speedy departure, and prosecution of the voyage eastward — The Carimans — Arrival at Singapore — Its founder, Sir Stamford Raffles— Ideal formation of the town and environs, from a sketch of the ground, when as yet there w'ere but a few temporary erections on it — The advantages of Singapore as a British entrepot, on account of its locality, salubrity, See. — Departure for Manila — Coral reefs abounding in the China Seas — Polypifers, their wondrous combinations and productions — False conclusions drawn by geologists from the increase of coral islands. CANTO I. PART I. With laws immutable, the fervid Sun Had to the north its farthest limits run, And Leo passed, whose fiery glaring face With heat oppressive sears the human race ; And modest Virgo, now, with milder rays. His tempered beams reflecting, ruled the days : When, by the practised pilot’s skilful hands, Our seaward ship had cleared the southern sands That on Bengala’s coast are dangerous found, To South Columbia’s shores, advent’rous bound, Charged with the produce of her native soil — The farmer’s increase, and the workman’s toil : Anxious to sail, with ill-dissembled joy We bid adieu ; — and soon the hands employ The boats to lash, and from the decks to clear The cables, halsers, and all harbour gear ; 12 THE COLUMBIAN [CANTO I. The master, then, (whose cares have now begun,) In early day observes th’ ascending sun : While some assistant, with discerning eye, The moment marks that with the sights comply, To these applies the latitude, with art, Denotes the spot, and marks the faithful chart : These dues complete, we fill the slumb’ring sail, With yards due braced to meet the sidelong gale ; The course nice fixed, the careful timonier, South-east-by-south is ordered straight to steer. With sheet scarce home , the barque soon hastes away, And leaves the land, a wide and sandy bay ; Nor stems the sea with more elastic bound, Than hopes prospective in each breast are found. O’er eastern seas to wend our liquid course, In quest of fortune’s ever varying source ; — Proudly at first we plough the sounding main, And haughty, view all others with disdain ; But soon misfortunes from above are sent — Our pride is humbled, and our spirit bent. Like some fierce bull of Andalusian breed, Which rustic hinds to crowded circus lead; Boldly at first he rushes on the foe, Disdaining pointed lance, or galling blow ; CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 13 Then urged by furious rage he blindly stoops — Before his eyes his foe the banner droops, Vain of his skill, deriding all his hate, Till the shrill trump proclaims the other’s fate. Then, swift descending, comes the fatal sword, That sends him bleeding o’er the gore-stained sward; The rankling wound he feels with deep disgrace, And faint, retires, with unfirm lagging pace ; — So creeps our injured barque along the main. And trails her wounded body on wdth pain — A shelter seeks, where, lab’ring and oppressed. The ills she suffers may be soon redressed. But ere to verse we give our varied w r ay, Be ours to tell, who held supremest sway O’er the brave ship, and crew of every land And every tongue, — a Babylonish band ! O’er the rich freight, with equal length of rein, Two men are found — two worlds apart did train To laws of commerce : Orpheus, silver-tongued ; And Jason, next, in conjoint duties bound. Thrice had the summer shed a pleasing heat. And thrice had winter, with loud howling, beat 14 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Against the Andes with deep snows o’ercrowned, Since Orpheus left his fertile native ground. Chili, far-famed, by daring souls inspired. The tyrant’s dread, by freedom bravely fired. His birth-right owned, nor failed these feelings pure, From freedom’s cause no bribe could him allure ; In manners gentle, deeply versed in books. Though grave, yet courteous, with engaging looks. Of Jason, had not truth required his name. Nought had been said, his deeds unknown to fame; Unlike Prince iEson’s fortune-favoured son, The golden fleece in other days who won. Where Clutha’s stream divides the sister isles, With verdure clothed, and decked in flowery smiles, He thence his lineage undistinguished drew ; And youth’s full flow of happiness he knew; Yet, not unmixed, for cares would oft intrude, His mind, though buoyant, could not well exclude. Fair Isles ! your image stands in fair array Before the memory ; and in bright display Recalls the beauties of your vales and hills. And flowery paths round clear and sparkling rills ; CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 15 Those glowing scenes, when o’er the neighb’ring deep The eye excursive from thy mountains sweeps, — The snowy brightness of each sandy bay, Where eddying waves in gentle murmurs play, Responsive to the sea-bird’s ceaseless cry, As round thy rocks unharmed they boldly fly ; By laws protected — thine the generous gift — Secured from murder, or the schoolboy’s theft : Nor unrewarded thou. Oh, gladsome sight ! By western breezes guided in their flight, — The sprightly harbingers of summer days. The cheerful tenants of thy rocks and bays, Are yearly welcomed to their sacred grounds, While to their notes the joyful air resounds ! Oh, loved abode ! — Ah, happy, happy days. When, free as air, he strayed around thy bays, Along thy banks, or o’er thy painted meads, Where scene to scene in richest hue succeeds ; Or watched the setting sun, reflective, pay A golden farewell to a joyous day. Or happier still, when some kind-hearted soul Made him a partner of his seaward toil ; — When, round thy sister shores, or vassal isles, They caught the scaly tribes by numerous wiles ; 16 THE COLUMBIAD. [canto I. Or, still more dear, because by stealth he went, — - Despite a mother’s fears — on plunder bent, To climb thy boldest crags, a dizzy height. To rob its younglings from the bird at night. Thus taught his new-fledged wings their flight to soar: Ah ! had he never flown thy peaceful shore ; But shunn’d ambition and her anxious train, Secure at home ; nor dared the treacherous main ! Not his the fault, for nature showed the way, — The summer bird ne’er saw the winter’s day , But winged its passage to a warmer sphere, When falling leaves proclaimed the winter near ; Sweet isle ! forgive him, if with them he flew. Yet failed, when summer’s breath the flowerets blew, To visit thee again, — his first delight : Far distant has he strayed with painful flight, Through climes inclement doomed since then to roam, Yet oft in thought he sought his native home. The young Mercator o’er the motley band | (From Europe, Afric, and from Hindust’han :) Held rule supreme, with strict, though just com- mand ; He, too, fair Scotia owned as parent earth, And Clyde’s pure stream was witness of his birth. CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 17 Accept, oh Clyde ! accept our filial lay, — A pleasing tribute, which we gladly pay ; Proud of our birth on noble stream like thee, We willing bend, in praise, our humble knee. Thy clear blue winding stream majestic flows, While either bank with richest verdure glows ; Thy daughters fair, with health-illumined face. Are robed in virtue, and excel in grace ; Thy sons, a hardy enterprising band. Seek every shore, inhabit every land : While, borne in triumph, each alternate tide Wafts the rich fleets that o’er thy bosom glide, Conveying home the wealth of foreign shores, Thy sons to comfort, and enrich their stores. Sprung from a House, which ever on the main Had held command, and there sought fortune’s fane, Mercator followed, with intent to trace The well marked footsteps of his vent’rous race ; Columbia’s isles had ever been their course, — In former times the seaman’s best resource ; But now monopoly, whose selfish plan Forbade all commerce with her Hindust’han, More generous grown, these obstacles withdrew Which guarded else the fortunes of the few : c 18 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. The many, now, with gilded hopes elate, Rush to the field, and share a chequered fate ; — Mercator’s fav’ring fortunes there attend, From shipwreck save him, and his views extend : In years though young, yet old in prudence’ way, Taught to command by learning to obey : The varying phases of the silvery moon, The stars of midnight, and the sun at noon. Their laws and motions all to him are known, — His guide in safety to remotest zone. Next to Mercator, Tethys held the sway ; In varied tongue he taught them to obey : In Scotia born ; a son of Ceres, he Left the broad lawn to plough the faithless sea : Scarce twenty summers yet had sunned his brow, Yet (such does early industry allow), He Scandinavia’s shores, bright Gallia’s plains, Italia, and Sicilia’s fair domains. Had seen, and earned a plenteous store. Of ancient, modern, and of nautic lore. But why, oh Tethys ! couldst thou leave thy groves, Thy milky herds, and gentle fleecy droves, CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 19 Where rich Autumnus, with no sparing hand, Spreads golden plenty o’er thy father’s land, To search for fortune ’midst such cheerless ways, Scorched by the vertic sun’s inclement rays, — Where dangers, death, and sickness often reign, Nor parent nigh to cheer thee in thy pain ? Thy mind, no doubt, on enterprise was bent, — The ray expansive, that by Heaven is sent, To urge us forth new regions to explore. And thus progressive people every shore : For, such is man, and so designed his state, To follow each his path, with hopes elate. From Kent’s staunch shores, the next in order came, Firm knit his frame, and Daedalus his name, Like him well skilled in operative art ; In varied language to command alert ; Could wile the finny tribe, or through their heart, With nice precision, send th’ unerring dart ; Well read in science, whose celestial rays Denote to mariners their trackless ways ; Though still but young, though scarce to manhood grown, He sultry climes and varied lands had known ; c 2 20 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Like Tethys, too, he scorned a rustic life, — Left peaceful shades for elemental strife ; Yet, such the allurements of a life of ease. His mind with rural scenes he oft would please ; In midnight hour, with watch and cares o’ercome, His wayward thoughts would seek their native home. But joys like these could only transient pass. Or serve to charm the slowly ebbing glass ; For cares immediate all his soul engross. As howls the gale, and billows rudely toss. Last, Palinurus, with decreased command, His fainter rule held o’er the mingled band ; On Scotia’s native Isles he left his crook In Brevis’ suite, content her frowns to brook ; Tired of a farmer’s toils, he sought the sea. And stormy waves preferred to sheltered lea : Unlike the rest, whose sires could them endow Each with a farm, he often held the plough ; Of manners simple, yet sincerely true, He soon became the favourite of the crew. For thy untimely fate I silent weep, Oh, storm-struck victim of tli’ insatiate deep ! CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 21 I see thee struggling on the tempest wave Invoking all, expiring life to save ! Now in the hollow sunk to gloomy night, — Now tossed on high upon the foaming height ; Gasping — ah! sinking with thy cumbrous weight, — Thy shrieks our pitying souls distracted rend, While succour the loud storm denies to send ; Less and still less the merciless barque appears, Till, lost to sight, from thy sad bosom tears. By anguish rent, the last remaining prop. The latest ray of life-sustaining hope : Faint, and more faint, then all his struggles o’er, Resigned to fate, he sank to rise no more ! Ah ! death, how aggravated are thy woes, When, groaning, writhing in thy fatal throes, A friend implores our unavailing aid, And yet in vain, — no efforts can be made ! For ah ! alas ! no help in human power Could save thee, Palinurus, in that hour. No more with gladness shall thy parents hail. Thy home return, with joyful nearing sail ; But when loud rumour with quick -spreading breath Shall bring them tidings of thy mournful death, 22 THE COLUMBIAD. [canto I To their sad tears, let consolation own, That all who knew, sincerely loved their son. Such were the men who held supremest rule : The band more common form a wider school ; Mahomet’s law's, most scrupulously lined, Divide the crew with limits clear defined : There Allah’s children, with well-fancied lights For Houri sigh and Paradise delights ; Here worshippers of Boud’ha and of Joyce The others scorn, and in their rites rejoice ; And we in ours, with surer grounds of grace, Consider each a far inferior race : Yet, such the power of lucre o’er mankind, Within such narrow space, how oft we find In quest, all nations and all faiths combined ! With gilded hopes elate we onward speed, And o’er the watery waste ambitious thread Our skill-directed way ; while round the view Is air and ocean joined in distant blue, — Nature’s great ornament, the glorious sea, — The living ocean, full of majesty ! True to the seasons, the responsive earth To varied suits alternately gives birth ; CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 23 Though changed in mantle, yet in form the same, Not as the ocean doth our wonder claim : For this magnificent, doth all surpass An ever varying, ever moving mass. With it in all the world, what can compare — Expanse of water, bound by ambient air ! See yonder breezes, as they gently sweep The placid surface of the slumbering deep; Which, pleased, responsive, as the}^ pass along, Salutes the zephyrs with a murmuring song : Throws up in sportive waves, to kiss the breeze, A jocund field of azure curling seas; But see the liquid mass, in altered form ! Behold the fury of the raging storm ! White are its mountain billows — loud its roar, As mad it chafes on yonder sounding shore : Serene no longer, nor cerulean bright, But hoarse, audacious, dark as wintry night ! Yet still attractive, — still the darling sea To kindred minds, whate’er its mood may be ; — Calm and resplendent — sportive to the gale, Or roused in contest, when the winds assail, — In grandeur still, in majesty the same, — The Earth’s great ornament, the sounding Main ! 24 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Tired e’en with it, though formed so well to please, A change is sought from never ending seas ; The eye-balls strain in quest of distant forms, And cloudy lands are hailed, the sport of storms : Nor damped by these, more keen direct the gaze,— At last successful, through the distant haze Behold yon speck, — the unassisted eye On the horizon’s verge can scarce descry : Though to the practised seaman’s lynx-like glance. It seems a vessel on the quick advance ; Now more distinct, the lower sails appear, — The plainest proof we cling upon a sphere : While each to other, boldly seems to rise From the blue wave to kiss the nether skies : Swift o’er the frothy seas we skim our way, And passing, bow, due courtesy to pay ; With rules well known ; for think not that the laws Have left the sea a rude and shapeless chaos, Like its own waves, the sport of every storm ; And lives of hundreds resting on — “I scorn “ To yield an inch to thee of equal force !” As sometimes happens on the modish course, CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 25 When two proud beaux, surrounding crowds impel Against each other, on the western mall, — More like two beauties on a morning round Of courteous visits to their friends around, When, should the chariots with the rival fairs Each other meet, the Johns rein in their pairs With dexterous skill, nor servile fears transpire, Though rattling flints emit a stream of fire : So we, saluting on the distant seas, Back the main-top-sail to repel the breeze ; Thus rein our steeds to ask each other’s news, (And that in courtesy, we nothing lose,) Impart our own, to render full its dues ; Then wave adieu ! and fill the slumbering sails. To speed our voyage with propitious gales. Loud the debates which now on board take place, Each word we weigh, and every tone retrace Of all that’s told ; —for such at sea are news, — To parched plants like soft refreshing dews, — Serve as a tonic to the morn’s repast, Digested through the day, — are changed at last ; Appear at dinner — quite a varied class. According to the mind through which they pass ; 26 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Some knew the man but late in health, now dead, Whose charming wddow will, — but she, they said — (Here grief, or wine, creates a sudden pause. Filled up by others, with no fav’ring clause.) — Another saw the ship that’s wrecked below, Late from the slip into the water go, As if ’twas proof against the rock-disease ; But then — her captain was no master-piece ! To end a dire dispute, deep bets are laid, That she which went to Siam late to trade. Shall back return, as empty as she’s now, Unless the bar they cross, or other how Appease with gifts the haughty Sultan’s pride ; While others hold, — that out at sea she’ll ride. With themes like these, while pass the precious hours, Subjects so puerile occupy their powers, Become a habit — and at length o’erpower. But time, too, flies with never ceasing speed, — To race with him, requires an active steed ! Yet nowhere better, were but men inclined, Than ship-board, to improve the studious mind ; — For thoughts exalted, yielding calm delight, What scene more fitting than a stilly night, CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 27 On spangled ocean, where around the scene Lie dark blue waters, with a sky serene ! On board, no voice to break the hallowed charm, — Without, no cause for danger or alarm ; But soft, the vessel parts the liquid main That meets behind to form her sparkling train, Unmatched in brilliancy by aught below. Save mimic stars that from its surface glow. In bright reflection from the rippling wave Whose dashing sprays the passing vessel lave With cheerful rushing sound, to seamen’s ears Sweet as the music of the heavenly spheres. On eve like this, when all around is bright, And peace within, who can resist a flight To yonder glories, nor with up-cast eyes In admiration view the studded skies ? Nor wonder at the power, whose laws can solve How stars and planets in their course revolve, By forces opposite maintained in space, Preserving each in its appointed place ! ’Tis thou, Astronomy, the wanderer’s guide, And sure conductor o’er the pathless tide, — To man a friend, a universal friend, Thou aid divine to mundane toils dost lend : Had thy pure lights not shone to lead us on, The globe terraqueous had not yet been known, 28 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. For, fearful groping on his trackless way, Man from his home had been but loth to stray. What though thy beams are partial, not complete. They are as bright as for our state is meet. Wond’rous the flight the human mind can trace ’Midst heavenly orbs, and penetrate through space, And scarcely erring, can the path foretell Where in the boundless Heavens they’re made to dwell ; But who shall say, that man shall ever know Their utmost laws, while he is here below ? Nor are we certain, that our minds, as here, Could brook a perfect vision of the sphere ; And yet enough is known for wisdom’s need. When minds ingenuous seek these lights indeed, To learn by Science, of the starry throng, Such laws as it has said to them belong. Oh, glorious, wondrous host, supremely bright ! Who can behold thee in refulgent night And doubt one moment of a Power divine ? — Could dare to perpetrate the slightest crime, — Could in thy presence e’er conceive offence, — Could, viewing thee, give way to lusts of sense ? Could, thee regarding, not with love o’erflow To that great Power which taught thee too to glow? CANTO I.] THE COLUMB1AD. 29 Could not imagine the Eternal’s face Shone in thy lights, and beamed through all thy space ? Could for a moment wish on earth to stay, Nor wing a flight towards thy bright array ? Oh brilliant sparkling throng, through all your range Ye were, and are, and will be free from change ! Beneath your pure, serene, resplendent view, — While on ye shine with undiminished hue, — How puerile are our highest thoughts! — How vain The sublunary hopes we entertain ! What sad vicissitudes have happened here — What signs have passed successive o’er our sphere ! Say, do ye heed them ? In your calm career Is tyrant’s anger, or the subject’s fear Are state intrigues, or war’s sulphureous frowns, — Are slaughtered armies, or storm - plundered towns — Are blasts of jealousy, of anger, strife — Are daggers raised against a brother’s life — Are ills, or dangers, toils, or wasting dearths, Or meaner broils, that cloud domestic hearths — Are these immediate to your placid sight ? — Or are they wrapt in black impervious night? 30 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. No, no : ye heed them not; like flitting clouds Whose shadow oft your fervid lustre shrouds ; Onward they pass, descending to the grave, Like the same clouds that sink beyond the wave; While others follow, for a time to dwell, Pass on their way, and like them, too, dispel ! The sad may mourn, and raise their streaming eyes, Despairing lovers may breathe forth their sighs ; The houseless wretch, the unclaimed orphan boy. The happy, crowned with victory or joy, May onward pass, and tell their tales of woe. Or vaunt enjoyment in this vale below: But what are they to your unequalled grace, As on ye roll on high through destined space ; Far, far beyond our sublunary cares, Alike regardless of our joys or prayers, — Unheeding all, ye shed your ancient light. That viewed creation, and illumes to-night. Our fathers oft your sacred beams have blest. And theirs beneath your rays have gone to rest ; Our sons shall view your still unfading light When we and all our cares have sunk to night : And ye still shine in glorious calm career. When He shall come to judge the mundane sphere ! CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 31 A sister science claims our grateful praise, Whose lights are shed on earth — benignant rajs; Her charge it is to mark each distant shore. And teach mankind their topographic lore, Describe the field o’er which he’s bom to reign, — Without her aid, Astronomy’s were vain ; While she minutely points the distant way, — The sons of Commerce catch the inspiring ray ; Pursue their paths as her sure finger guides, To spread their patron’s fertilizing tides. Join’d with humanity and peace, she led Her son illustrious, in their cause who bled ; While he exploring, sought the distant isles, To give them, votive, to instructions smiles. Benevolent man ! they now invoke thy name, And for their father grieve with heartfelt shame ; Thy early enterprise hath also sealed To true religion, what thy toils revealed ; And from thee, too, of late have scions sprung, Imbibed thy maxims, to thy precepts clung, Spread o’er the ocean, and through ev’ry zone. Till every land from pole to pole is known. And thy pure spirit fires a later name ; — Of death ambitious, or eternal fame, 32 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. With bold intent to intersect the globe Where thy sad fate prevented thee to probe. Wrapt in the stillness of a living tomb. By night enshrouded in continual gloom ; — Oh ! shield him Heaven, attend our ardent prayer, And, sympathetic Spirit, be thou there ! Waft from him dangers, elemental strife. Save him from harm, and spare his vent’rous life ! * When first our wings were spread for Eastward flight, Cynthia was young, and shed a timid light, So near the fount, that scarce a sunbeam fell, Her habitation in the heavens to tell : More distant wand’ring now, through half the zone She had progressed, and all resplendent shone ; Coursed through the spangled vault on eve serene, With air majestic, night’s unrivall’d queen ; For though she flaunts on high with borrow’d rays, Her debt to earth usuriously she pays : — Nature’s own dial, formed by art Divine To guide mankind, and mark the lapse of time ; Taught by her movements in the starry space, Their way o’er pathless seas secure to trace ; * Note A. CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 33 Thus, Heaven’s own monitor, when earth denies, Directs their course from yonder glorious skies. Led by her beacon, eastward, on our way. We gain the margin of the Southern Bay, Where, in the destined track, a group appears, Past which, with steady course, our vessel steers. Nor hidden danger dreads, ’neath surface fair. No shelving shoals, nor sunken rocks are there. Would that the land were free from evil fame ! Depraved and faithless, we these isles proclaim ; And scarce a voyager on Eastern seas. But the dread Andamans with loathing sees ; — - To trade averse, — urged by demoniac will, Dire anthropophagy incites to kill ! Yes ! there they stand, a monument to tell How sank the human soul when mankind fell ! Dreadful to think, that centuries have pass’d Since Britain’s lot around these isles was cast, And yet that unregenerate they remain, A dismal spot, in Satan’s dark domain ! Stung by the thought, we steer with urgent haste, Flee from their sight, and gain the watery waste ; Approaching now the narrower seas between Malaya’s coast, and westward, bold Acheen, — D 34 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Entrance well worthy of the noble scene, Of inland sea, with isles that intervene Thickly bespangled like the stars of night, One lost to view, another heaves in sight. — To guard the portal, stand two cones erect, Of massive rock, in desert grandeur deck’d ; Still unsubdued, to human sway unknown, By lonely sea birds tenanted alone. The Coco Isles, — twin brothers of the sea, — We quickly leave — the greater on the lee, And Narcondam approach, whose stately head We closely pass, nor hidden dangers dread : But, cautious trav’ller, bring not near to view Pera’s white isle, fair clad in silver hue, — A magic spot, where calms prevailing reign, Your course with charms insidious to detain Among its treacherous deeps ; but not alone Are calms the bane of that far dreaded zone : Here sweep the ocean, with terrific blast, Winds born of skies not yet by clouds o’ercast, But clear, serene, evade the seaman’s search ; — One only cloud, — in form a perfect arch, With edge uneven, rising towards the land, At first not larger than the prophet’s hand, CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 35 But soon the storm, like desolation’s blast. Comes fearful on, and strains each quivering mast ; Like dire temptation that assails our path, ’Tis vain and dangerous to deride its wrath ; The only safeguard, to reduce the sail, And quickly veering, scud before the gale : But heaven-befriended now ; not such our lot, — We pass securely this far-dreaded spot ; No tempest harrows up the ocean’s verge, Nor calms delay, but safely we emerge, And onward speed, till, tinged with faintest blue, Penang appears, to bound the distant view : Bound its high northern shores we boldly sweep, Where watchful signals scour the distant deep ; Nor long the master’s practised skill delayed. To gain the harbour there, secure embayed: Here, floating gaily on the balmy gale, Are seen all ensigns, and each nation’s sail. With varied burden, and more varied form. In sheltered safety they avoid the storm. Thou faithful guardian of historic page, Who record keepst of each succeeding age, Aid me to tell, how first this island drew Its laws from Britain, and its manners knew : 36 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Of recent birth, what quick progressive rise ! Its sons now numerous, diligent, and wise ; To culture prone, zealous with care to twine. Round its supports, the clustering acrid vine ; Yet memory’s living page, distinct can trace Its late subjection to a barbarous race. Till Light, of Quedah’s generous favour won The island free, — the dowry of a son ; He, join’d with others (ere it formed a part Of British India, governed from the heart), His right maintained against a captious crew. And oft their powers by stratagem o’erthrew : At length adopted, trained to nicer rules. It owned the manage of more pompous schools ; In hopes prospective, — hopes, alas ! in vain, Of docks and harbours for our naval train.* Though blighted these, yet other plans are laid, And prospects fair present themselves in trade ; Becomes the mart where nations meet in peace, Whom others dread, but here suspicions cease ; A boon procured by men, experience-taught, Who found protection, which in need they sought ; Received and cherished (when a treacherous crew From faithful servants, to assassins grew), * See Note B. CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 37 Held, when restored to this, the generous plan, “ That man should ever he a friend of man” Thus have I seen, with feelings of delight, (To those in commerce what more pleasing sight?) Erect in confidence, with firmest pace, Frequent the mart, men of each eastern race, — The northern Birman,— eastern Siamese, The distant Bouggies, and the skilled Chinese ; The Parsee banished from his native home. And sly T’lingas, who for lucre roam ; All hither drawn by mildness of the laws, In joint pursuit of fortune’s fickle cause. While joy of action lightens every face ; One language all disputes tends to efface, The Italian of the East’s harmonious note Unites the whole, industry to promote. With eye more curious, strictly have I viewed, (Than whom, with bolder minds, few are endued,) The Boneers, subject to the Javan law. And thought in them the Scottish Celts I saw : The same their dress, their features, size, and air, The same for battle’s strife they both prepare ; And, too, alike, undaunted, brave and free. In barques of similar form they range the sea. 38 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. But in the first, deep vices taint the mind, — No drugs narcotic ’mong the Celts we find ; But here they traffick in this cursed weed, — This source of ruin, murders, vice, and need. Stain on our honour ! — scandal of our name ! How base the system ! and how vile the gain ! This deadly poison unrestrained to vend. The wretched longings of the low to tend ; Not poison physical, but too, of souls, — Behold, his life this mortal drug controuls ! Once truly happy ’neath his coco’s shade, Where dwelt mild peace, and vice did ne’er invade, His family’s welfare to his soul allied. Their simple comforts kindly ne’er denied ; Urged by a father’s care, each day attends The neighbouring market, where he gainful vends The native produce of his rude domain, The clustered plantain, coco, and the cane ! Joyful he goes, with happier step returns, A parent’s feeling in his bosom burns ; His artless children fondly are carest ; His daily labour o’er, in peace to rest ; Released from care, beneath his shady trees. In cool of eve enjoys a virtuous ease ; CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 39 His playful children, innocently gay, With fond endearments guile the hours away, While pleasure throbs through all the parent’s veins. In ample recompense for all his pains ; Prospective seems the comfort of his days, When age steals on and present strength decays. His sons advanced to manhood’s riper age. His blooming daughters softer hopes engage, — Already to his view, in nuptial bands. With neighbouring children joins their plighted hands, And pleased with them, at peace with all around, His friends at eve are welcomed to his ground. Who wondering tell, in terms unknown to art, The daily tales their hamlets round impart ; His faithful wife, meanwhile, with household cares The simple viands for their meal prepares ; In virtuous love his comfort zealous tends, Joyful began his day, serene it ends. Could I, with justice, drop the curtain here. Then for my country had I shed no tear ; Its tarnished honour had remained still clear. Enticed in evil hour but once to taste The baneful fumes that cause a moral waste ! 40 THE COLUMBTAD. [CANTO I- Those dreams of ecstacy the juice imparts, When reason’s steeped, and life almost departs ; For Lethe’s self no darker veil o’erthrows, Whose mud and ooze this horrid drug compose ! Roused from his dream, he opes his languid eyes. And mourns his sin with deep repentant sighs ; The daily pittance from his produce spent, Homeward with joyless thoughts his steps are bent; Soon home is seen, but seen with altered view. His sacred charge now plundered of their due ! Stung by the thought, he vows no more to stray In guilty path, nor quit his peaceful way ; And thus relieved he seeks his sheltered cot, Still comfort feels, nor hopeless is his lot : But transient, alas ! this happy day, — Already cravings burn, that ne’er allay ! For such the sorcery its use attends But once indulged, the longing never ends ! Soft is the tread of vice’s stealthy pace, Its quickest progress scarcely can we trace ; Secret at first he sins against his peace, At length these scruples altogether cease ; His wife and family robbed without remorse, To meet expenses of his guilty course : CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 41 Yet, still at market is he daily met, But knows no pleasure when the day has set ; No more his children glad his callous heart. No longer in his earnings share their part : Flown from beneath his coco’s silent shade Have peace and joy ! — their last adieu they’ve paid ; Lean want and strife succeed their heavenly reign, Attended by their agonizing train. No longer now can daily gains suffice, The gnawing monster calls for more supplies ; His grounds neglected, trees and plants decay, Fruits yet unripe are ruthless borne away ; Still, still deficient — famine comes apace. To seal the ruin of the wretched race ! His sons resigned, are doomed as debtor slaves. Lost once to freedom , bondsmen to their graves ! His comely daughters share a baser fate, In misery sold, a villain’s lust to sate ; To vice conducted by a parent’s hand, ’Gainst nature’s law, and Heaven’s supreme com- mand. Unsated, still those cravings yet remain, Which must be fed, should plunder yield the gain ! Now turned a robber, view him lurk at e’en, Bereft of fruits, at market never seen, 42 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. But strips the stranger on the lonely road. And homeward steals with the nefarious load. Some neighbour, known to have a careless door, Is robbed of all, — then stabbed to be secure ; But still deficient, still comes short in all ; For food, his wife and younger family call : Himself now weakened, squalid and opprest, Shunned by his neighbours as a baneful pest : Deprived of hope, and to distraction driven, His inmost feelings torn, asunder riven. By thoughts of past and present madly stung, Despair completes what opium has begun ; — Resolved his sufferings with his life shall cease, In frenzy wild he grasps his blood-stained crees ; Deep in the bosom of his faithful wife, In blinded madness plants the murderous knife ; She weltering falls, nor with her latest breath, The hand upbraids that caused her cruel death : In anguish sees, with dying languid eye Her children’s doom, and groans a parting sigh; — They too, in frenzy, share the monster’s hate And screaming fly to shun the cruel fate ; — Some speed in vain, while others dart like light, And safety find in devious, quicker flight. CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 43 But lust of blood in madness once begun, The murderous race a-mok, a-mok is run, In savage blindness ; all alike are foes, Whoe’er he meets partake the mortal blows ; Till, roused by common danger, all engage The world to rid of the fell madman’s rage : Encompassed round, (for none attempt him near,) But held with forks, they launch the piercing spear; O’erpowered, transfixed, the writhing culprit dies, And forfeits life amidst heart-rending cries. That call for vengeance, justice to fulfil. On the dire traffic that caused all the ill ! So sad an exit shares so fair a morn ! A man, once happy, dies as thus forlorn ! And though unpitied, yet at least the cause Demands a remedy, and stricter laws. To save these victims of the knife and lust, Caused by the tasting of that drug accurst ! For even he, whom nature’s milder rule Has formed with passions moderate and cool ; Though free from blood, he follows this career, How lost, how wretched, sunk in abject fear. Marked by his neighbours as a ruined man. Shows, but in milder form, the wretched plan ! 44 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. From themes like this, the mind distressed, set free, Bounds with delight, to view the inland sea : The farther shore, a steep uncultured waste, With grandeur decked in nature’s wildest taste ; While warmer, gayer beams, from Prince’s Isle, Enrich the scene, with their more cultured smile ; Rich clustering fruits adorn each scented grove. Where birds of brightest plumage gaily rove ; There grow the mangosteens’ nectarian fruits, Desired by all, which every palate suits. Like honey melts, from Hybla’s far-famed height, When roseate rind resigns its luscious white ; More precious still, the spicy nutmeg there And fragrant clove perfume the balmy air ; Washed by the wave, reclines the guardian Fort, In former days a safe and fit resort, — A pageant now — to blazon festive sounds. With notes of joy alone its walls resound ; Within its outstretched arm, of all degrees Are moored the barks that court its sheltered seas, Secure they ride, nor dread the coming storm, On all sides guarded by the harbour’s form ; While shoreward crowd a healthy , active race, Characters which here peculiarly we trace CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIA!)* 45 More gay than Hindust’han — yet humbler grade, (Here dwellings are for use, not for parade). Neat and retired, while shady trees enclose, Appear the abodes of comfort and repose : Unlike those graver masses built in squares, Whose solid form the thought of ease impairs, — Cubes yield to nothing ; but in self secure. For ever seem to cry, “ Go hence, ye poor !” But peaceful Osian’s shady halls proclaim That hospitality is not a name ; For never stranger, nor the houseless poor Passed on neglected by its generous door. Nor, Glugor, thine ! — then may success attend And crowded boughs with fragrant harvest bend ! And thou, choice spot, exalted e’en in name, (That for a title dost my country claim,) May joy and comfort ever mark thy way, And conscious blessings greet thy parting day ! Adieu, sweet spot ! where friendship oft did smile A care-worn mind from wretchedness to guile ; For false ambition with relentless hand Drags her chained victim on from land to land, In quest of fortune, varying as it ’s found A phantom of the brain — an empty sound ! 46 THE COLUMBIAD. [canto I. Like mountain’s fleeting mist, or morning dews Eludes the sight when day its strength renews : Yet on the altar of this phantom, bleed Victims untold, in misery and in need ! This nothing yields in lucre’s sordid way, While plans prospective shorten our delay ; Three days we stay, in hopes the mart may rise, But Heaven in this our selfish prayer denies : Then by experience taught, Mercator’s care Waits the land breeze, which for the south is fair; Courts Luna’s favour to assist our way ’Mongst isles and shoals that crowd the Southern Bay; Slowly we move till Raymo comes in view, Which passed to right, our seaward toils renew : Spread then the canvass to the favouring breeze ; The Sands and Aroas passed, the mind’s at ease, South-east-by-east our course is now to run, And soon Malaca’s high blue coasts are won; These we approach, and on their muddy shore Drop the barbed anchor, and the vessel moor ; And freed from care, the varied scene admire, — The woody hills in mingled green attire. Range after range retiring from the view, Till lost in distance ’midst aerial blue : CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIA!). 47 The fertile cultured fields, romantic glades, The glowing contrasts of its lights and shades : The town itself, encroaching on the main, Is back reflected from the glassy plane ; Restored of late, now Nassau’s will obeys, And in its turn o’er vassal princedoms sways — • O’er Salengora’s northern distant post. And Rhio’s fort, and Lingin’s barbarous coast. But say, what edifice commands yon hill, Where sadness reigns, and desolation still ? Few traces now, of former grandeur there, — Of relics sacred, and recluses’ prayer : — That church, blind superstition once obeyed In darkest terrors impious arrayed. When o’er the land the Inquisition swayed ; And iron-handed in the mildest cause, Proclaimed the gospel by the sternest laws ! But, oh ! Omnipotence, how wise thy ways ! Thou dost avert, tho’ man to plan essays ; — For now the gospel with redeeming light Beams like a beacon o’er the brooding night Of heathen darkness, from its zealous halls, And sheds a halo o’er its blood-stained walls ! 48 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. These bulwarks razed, and more extended lines Grown useless now, the need of former times, Thy strength display, when D’ Albuquerque assailed The foe united, — nor in conquest failed ; For there the Crescent weaved in barbarous pride, And Christian foes in former days defied — Ere Europe had a name in eastern spheres. These had their day, and ruled their world by fears, Brought with their swords their new celestial lights, Their false religion, and their blood-stained rites, By scimitars enforced ; thus mildly given, Redemption’s gracious plan so sent from Heaven ! Could man imagine thus, and think aright ? Did e’er the peaceful dove on lance alight ? — Nor milder followed by the conquering band, Who spread their system o’er the trembling land. Warmed by the scene, the fancy freer roams To former days, when, loathing peaceful homes, Malaya’s daring sons from neighbouring shores Did hither come in quest of richer stores ; — See the rude throng, led on by warrior’s hand, Defeat the ruder children of the land ! Hear the loud yell of furious savage hate ! Behold the crees that blood alone can sate ! — CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 49 No warning gives, nor dexterous guards to part. But straight, and silent seeks its victim’s heart ; In mingled combat wounds are ta’en and given ; At length the weaker to the hills are driven, And leave the strangers all their fruitful coast, Who raise Malaka, in its strength to boast, # Soon spread their conquest and their fame around, Increase their trade, and till the genial ground ; For ages flourish, but in pagan state. Till Mahomet’s lights a change of faith create. Not taught by force ; their sovereign’s will it was To yield obedience to the prophet’s laws. View them, in turn, the Siamese obey, Who, for a time, maintain victorious sway, Unknown to peace; no spirits they to yield ; (Ne’er quit, intruders, your protecting shield !) For then these fields by blood and strife were stained, When Siam’s lord his hard-won power maintained. Easy it were to paint th’ embattled host In myriads stretched along the northern coast, With massive grandeur in the Eastern mode, Where cumbered war with luxury they load ; While the bold wanderers from foreign shore Despise such pomp, and love to fight in gore, — * See note C. E 60 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO 1. Led on by Mahomet’s victorious arm, Attack th’ invaders, and create alarm : Confusion follows, and a general route, And Manancabo’s sons their victory shout ! In peace once more beneath umbrageous shade, Increase their fruits, enjoy a gainful trade : But soon a hero of a sterner mould, Comes from afar and drives them fromth eir hold : Reckless they fly, with families and all, And found Johore, to shun European thrall ; ’Till Nassau’s children came — all rites who view Alike — and they Mahomet’s forms renew. Plans more restrictive, by Batavia laid, To centre in its mart all foreign trade, Confined their wants to articles of need : They ask alone the fell narcotic weed ! But ask of us in vain, for none we hold. By us this poison is not bought or sold ; — Yet hospitable still, they urge delay, But deaf to pleasure, we curtail our stay : Repel intreaties with the well-known song, “ An idle hour on shore’s an hour too long.” And stem the sea once more with busy pride, While hope “ to come ” our disappointments hide CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 51 E’en from ourselves, the victims of to-morrow. Who in the future drown all present sorrow. Borne on Time’s pinions for one day and night. By favouring breezes aided in our flight, In early dawn, high peaked, of azure hue, The Carimans appear, to change the view, Whose shores unsheltered, and unfriendly coast, The honour of our rule them lately lost. # From thence oblique we cross, of danger free, Our way directed by the Single Tree ; The Coney doubled, and alert St. John, In Singapoura’s Bay the anchor’s gone, Close to the sandy beach ; a fairy scene, — Such poets thought of, but have seldom seen ! Hail, genial clime ! of all the Eastern isles, Best seated thou to gather Fortune’s smiles ; Thy rich and fecund soil on gentle hills. Thy pure, salubrious air, so free from ills ; Unknown to tempests, or to tremblings thou, Thy woody glades, in wild luxuriance now, Shall yield requital to the furrowing plough. Hail ! Genius brilliant, whose extended view, Thy country’s honour, and her welfare knew ! * See Note D. E 2 LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 52 THE COLUMBIAD. [canto I. Too thin their flimsy veil to blind thine eyes. Thy hand stretched forth, the subtle cobweb flies, And modern Carthage’s foundations rise : Most meet the ancient site thy wisdom chose, Round which as centre Eastern traffic flows ; Where health has fixed her home, and pleasure reigns. And Commerce, joined with freedom, laughs at chains.* Canst thou, bright fancy, in prospective scene, Raise by thy magic touch th’ impervious screen That veils the future from our anxious gaze, — Involved in darkness and distorting haze, — And show this spot, now clad in humble brown. Grown rich in palaces, a populous town ? Commanding, on yon hill, with haughty mien And gay attire, the chief’s abode is seen ; With bristling guards in front of heavy train. Rearward to flank the battery on the plain. Where seated in the midst, from all retired, A temple stands in grandeur, lofty spired. The magnet sacred that unites the whole, — The fount that strengthens and refines the soul ! Round this the crowded town protection seeks. In cubic form, whose fronts are open streets See Note E. CANTO* I.] T1IE COLUMBIA©. 53 Of wide extent, where wheeling in the maze, Each rank embodied mimic war displays, Or loungers wander, by dull sloth oppressed, Determined idlers to the world confessed. To those who rule, and buildings of the state, The front department should alone relate ; Through this all strangers to the town approach, Then let its form incur no just reproach, But viewed with pleasure by the passing eye, With other cities let it justly vie ; Nature’s own finger points direct the way, To Mercury’s sons along the narrow bay ; Though plans more selfish from another source, Would, if permitted, change the proper course ; Stain not the laurels thou so late hast won ! — A Briton’s rights ! — but thou thyself art one ! Then stay, ah stay thy hand, nor drive them thence, By Commerce circled, — what more noble fence ! Then let its Western sons on this abide, But place the Eastern on the other side ; Though separate, not divided, for the twain Without each other’s aid can nothing gain ; But let the noble arch unite their homes, — O’er the green wave, above the field of tombs, 54 THE COLUMBIAD. [canto I. And ranged convenient, let their wharfs approach In friendly style, and on the sea encroach ; Then cut yon hill, and level all around, And marsh and fen convert to solid ground ; Indifferent may the upper part be held, At freedom built, to form alone compelled ; But there should strangers, to the rest unknown, For lucre find repose, and welcome home : Men trained to war should form an iEgis there, To guard from foes the wide extended square, Built on the spot where former warriors placed Their guardian towers, from which the name is traced : Thus planned and governed shall it soon proclaim, The growing honours of the British name, While justly reined by our benignant code, Men from around shall form their new abode,* And barques from far, in safety as they ride. Shall wave their ensigns with an equal pride ; While busy on the mart, each anxious face, Amid the throng, may striking objects trace ; — This brings the produce of his busy year. Ambitious grown in western garb t’appear, Nor yet unmindful of more dear commands, — The simple grandeur which his home demands : * See Note F. CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD; Another brings the camphor, fragrant gum, Some rob the bee, — the acrid branches some ; But all, in equal course, direct proceed, Straight to the heart the genial projits lead. As sea birds young, with keen expecting eye, Returning parents on the wing descry, So tens of thousands, with the annual gales, On distant isles, perceive returning sails, Crowd round the bays to meet their vent’rous friends, And heartfelt pleasure on their roof descends. When, borne in triumph to their welcome homes, (What pleasure greater to the man who roams ?) The yearly tribute from more polished lands. The wond’rous works of more ingenious hands, — The vivid colours of European dye, The varied shades that with the Iris vie, Are forth displayed, to court the rude applause Of men untaught in nature’s simple laws. Days of delight, and pleasure follow round ; — Subsiding these, they till the fertile ground, Exert their industry for coming years, And hope of gain their buoyant labour cheers. Such arc the blessings which from trade arise, No other policy, however wise 56 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Can yield content, though force it should employ, Yet this makes lands and isles to sing for joy, — To taste the comforts of an active life, To study peace, and shun illegal strife ; Through paths material points the certain way To blissful influence, and brighter ray. Long could I linger to enjoy thy shades. And wend delighted through thy flowery glades, Pleased with their fragrance, and their varied hues. In cool of eve, or midst the morning dews ; But sordid lucre, with imperious call, Bids us begone, and shun thy syren thrall : While all obedient, to the landward gale Spread on its breath the wide departing sail, Swift o’er the wave, on eastern wings we fly. To Leucon’s isle, our way intent to ply. Here toil incessant in the fostering flood, — The lime-encrusting polypiferous brood, By wond’rous instinct, taught from higher Source, To place the many ’gainst the lack of force ; Behold how certain their progressive rise. Their labours common, how extremely wise ! Who would suppose of creature so deform, That plans, combined for leagues, they should perform ? CANTO I.] THE COLUMBIAD. 57 As if intelligence from hand to hand, Spread with electric speed throughout the band ; That winds prevailing, waves, and all are weighed, And laws, depending on the whole, obeyed ! But still more strange, that reason-gifted man Should from their works, mistake the general plan Of God’s creation, and at all suppose, That tropic lands from such a source arose ! For when, at length, the globe extern is known, Insatiate man next prys within the zone. To search the bowels of his parent mould, Not for base metals, or all potent gold, Nor wide to range o’er nature’s works, and scan The abounding proofs of wisdom in her plan ; But still perverse, these sounder views despise, By sinking , hopes at art Divine to rise ! Anxious to know, with curious fond desire, If formed at first by water, worms, or fire ! Or how at last the great Creator’s might, Shall it dissolve again to endless night ! What shall unmake it but the self-same power That said the word, and formed it in an hour? While faithless man shall search and wonder on ; For who can tell ? — to whom’s the secret known ? 58 THE COLUMBIAD. [canto I. Can ants, which creep the bomb prepared conceive The force employed the infernal ball to heave ? Or could their reason tell, should they enquire, What still is wanting, — the exploding fire ? And, though superior, can we see the link That binds our globe, as we, too, dimly think ? Or trace the chain to the Creator’s mind, And from the work deduce the art divine ? Minds that perceive through matter , can they span The thought of that which was, ere yet His plan Had matter willed, from what no matter was, And all the universe was boundless chaos ? Oh no ! Then quit the task, restrain your views, To what to man and science is of use ; Learn, when ye scrutinize maternal soil, To turn to comfort all unmeaning toil ; For this the field, in which the enquiring mind May e’er do good, and scarce a limit find ; But still improving as its labours grow, Spread o’er the earth, through all conditions flow.* * See note G. END OF PART I. THE COLUMBIA D. CANTO I.— Part II. ARGUMENT OF CANTO I.— PART II. Approach the entrance to Manila — Its magnificent Bay — Al- lusion to recent events which took place there — Departure from Manila — Intricate passage through the Straits to the South of Luconia — Commencement of the Storm — Escape from being wrecked on Batag — Storm increases and becomes more adverse — Hurricane — Ship hove to — Sudden discovery of rocky islets under the lee bow — Ware ship, and escape im- mediate destruction — Run in between the rocks and the land — Attempt to anchor — The vessel drags her anchors — Parts one of the cables — Drives rapidly towards the lee and rocky shore — Resolve to cut away the masts — This done, the ship owns the remaining anchor, and resists the storm — Precautions adopted to render her position as secure as circumstances permit — Storm abates as the sun declines — Mists and fogs dispel, and show how mercifully we have escaped, and the full extent of our danger— Meditations occasioned by the dreadful scene through which we passed, and the happy results, when properly applied, of such severe and sudden trials on the mind. CANTO T. PART II. Borne by the breeze, towards the coast we sweep. And faint descry Manila’s far-famed keep, — Corrigedor , that peering, sits on high, And scans the ocean with a jealous eye : Clear is the passage, and within secure, Where this old fortress guards the sea-ward door. Of this assured, we onward hold our way, Without a pilot, through the spacious bay ; And as we sail, admire on every hand The expanse of waters circled by the land ; For all Britannia’s fleets might safely ride On shelter’d bosom of that inland tide — View, as we pass, Cavite from afar. But disregardful, seek Manila bar. Shorn of its beams, its commerce on the wane, No more its galleons cross the adventurous main, 62 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Since Colon’s sons, beyond the western wave, In freedom’s cause did tyrant thraldom brave ; Not all Iberia’s never setting rays, Could mitigate, or aught resist its blaze ; And loathed monopoly, with condign fate Unpitied fell, beneath the people’s hate. Pale superstition, with its cowls and hoods In darkness wanders, and in cloister broods ; But here , the truncheon of the state it holds. And over all, with iron hand, controuls ! Inhuman city! on thy blood-stained walls A voice for vengeance unremitting calls ; Vain, vain, the sanctum of thy thousand spires, When Europe’s indignation justly fires, For slaughtered sons, secure in thee who dwelt, With blinded confidence ; nor danger felt. Till in a moment, by thy ruthless band Their bodies strewed thy faithless, blood-stained land ; Dragged at thy horses’ heels, with equal fate That slaughtered bulls on gala days await. To clear the ring that others may succeed ! Yes, — blind deluded city, such thy deed ! The eyes that saw thee, they their witness gave. That thus unhallowed, found his friends their grave. PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 63 When thou, supine, from Europe far removed Thought, in thy madness, nothing could be proved! Shame on thee, superstition ! How could’st thou, Although enslaved by strict monastic vow, See innocence cold butchered in thy sight. Nor grant their mangled corpse sepulchral rite ? To priest-craft turn ! its potent help engage, The lash to soften, coming wrath t’ assuage ; Perhaps compelled, — but now, alas ! too late ! The bones remove with tardy show of state. With pomp inter them in thy holy ground. From yonder sea-beach, where they burial found ; Yes ; on thy strands, these eyes with tears o’erflown Have seen their sun-bleached bodies careless thrown To feed thy vultures’ foul insatiate maws. Not more inhuman than thy barbarous laws ; Where false religion sits enshrined in thee, And mantles vice by its hypocrisy ; Throws o’er thee retribution’s fearful gloom. That points, if unrepentant, to thy doom ! Through the poised scales with slow declining ray Phoebus had passed, and Scorpio ruled the day : 111 omened sign throughout the Eastern seas ; — No season this for slumber, or for ease ! 64 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. But still regardless, — still intent on gain, We scorn such fears, and future ills disdain ; Our course resolved no longer to delay, We now prepare to leave the faithless bay ; New fields of commerce venturous to explore, — The western regions of Columbia’s shore; Not openly, but under secret guise, For still Iberia intercourse denies. On expectation’s tiptoe, each elate, Awards to self a favouring turn of fate : None dream by night or day but dream of gold. And fancy’s gayest webs at large unfold, With nice distinctions, suited to each mind, And all enslave, with subtile magic bind ; Entranced in sordid pleasure’s dazzling blaze, In silent ecstacy they fondly gaze : View silver heaped on high — Oh glorious sight ! Rich, mouldy treasures brought again to light ! E’en Mexico’s deep mines, though at command, Could scarce appease their covetous demand. — The flowers may differ, yet on fancy’s tree, In one respect, they all alike agree ; — None dream they lose a fortune, but all gain ; The means may vary, but the end’s the same ; PART II.] THE COLUMBIA D. 65 To win it ’s nothing, — that they leave to fate ; But how to spend it, forms the nice debate : By this the training of the mind is known, Where now it points, and what it has been ’s shown ; The mettle of the spirit’s clearly seen, And knowledge of the heart from it we glean. I While sleep refreshing Jason’s eyelids seals, The Circe her airy fabric’s folds reveals, And brightening colours crowd before his mind, Past scenes with future intimate combined, And gay illusions with sweet hope entwined : All dangers past — surmounted with success. His care-worn mind relieved from all distress, Homeward he hies ; and, by the magic wand, As quick as lightning, treads his native land ; With warm embrace his joyous parents meets. His family, kindred, and his friends he greets ; — A form still dearer floats before his eyes. Which, though illusion, calls forth many sighs ; But all are fleeting, like the ebbing glass. The cherished shadows quick as meteors pass ; Touched by the rod, before the astonished sight, The scene displays with faithful shade and light F 66 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Scotia’s learned capital ; a rival name To Grecia’s Athens — favoured child of fame. There lingering, he reviews these classic scenes, While waking wishes haunt his midnight dreams ; Deep wrapt in thought, unmindful of the gay, At learning’s fount he occupies the day ; Immured in gloom, amid scholastic walls. Incessant labours, deaf to pleasure’s calls ; From heedlessness of youth redeems his fame. Unlearns his faults, his ignorance to reclaim; Nor finds the lessons by experience taught, As now employed, have profitless been bought ; But yield assistance to his present lore, And clear the page he found too dark before. — Now tired of study, early sylvan scenes Present themselves, and variegate his dreams ; Pleased with the view, beneath umbrageous trees, Whose waving branches float upon the breeze. He wanders on, nor solitary there, Charmed with society of virtuous fair, His tale of dangers past essays to tell, When, lo ! arrested by the magic spell, Scenes still more active seem to be his aim, — The sportsman’s pleasure, and the huntsman’s fame ; PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 67 In full career the startled stag he sees, The horn’s shrill note is borne along the breeze ; Swift o’er the lawn the prey avoids the chase, The deep-mouthed dogs pursue with swifter pace ! Their victim seize, and clamorous with their noise, Shout the loud mort to crown the huntsmen’s joys! Kindling in fancy with the ’larum he wakes, Bewildered still midst forests, lawns, and brakes. And all the pageantry of joyous chase. But rougher sounds these halcyon forms efface, And damp his soul with scenes of duller hue ; The morning’s dawn has waked the noisy crew ; — “ All hands aho !” in varied tongue ’s proclaimed ; The drowsy god unbinds his victims chained. — Few seek more shelter than the starry shroud, The rest, like bees, on deck, up-humming crowd ; Captains and topmen to the tops ascend Each to his post, and all their duties tend ; — Meanwhile the master o’er the rest is seen, Treading the poop with quick and anxious mien ; Attending Tethys by his side appears, Proclaims his wishes, and the labour cheers; More distant Daedalus the bow commands. Repeats the orders, and directs the hands f 2 68 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Who at the anchors ply; while Palin coils (With chosen few, the partners of his toils,) In cable tier, the huge mis-shapen rope, In danger’s hour the last remaining hope ; In silence all expectant ready stand, — “ Sheet home the topsails !” is the first command ; “ The lower lifts and binding trusses ease, — “ And trim the yards alternate to the breeze ; “ This to propel, that to impede her way, “ To guide her movements in the crowded bay.” Loud creak the blocks as wind the topsail ties, And soon aloft each yard wide spreading flies : — “ Call down the topmen : carpenter, prepare “ The winding capstern ; — and all hands repair “To wrench the anchors from their clayey layer!” Thick swarm the thoughtless crew, for ever gay, Glad to arrive ; rejoiced to get away ; To pliant messengers the cable bind. By subtle stoppers manifold entwined : Then round the middle frame with triple fold The lesser’s coiled, while this fresh stoppers hold. Loud clang the pauls, as round the capstern turns. To quit its hold the faithful hawser spurns, A few steps more, the powerful engine palls; — " Up with the jib !” Mercator quickly calls ; PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 69 “ Starboard the helm !— starboard— starboard still! “ Loose gallant sails, and royals, — courses fill ! cs Haul out the spanker ; — after braces square ; “ Then to the anchor let all hands repair.” Swiftly she moves, and bounding, spurns the spray, Proud of her gallant form and trim array ; Like youthful beauty decked in virgin charms When first at court, and blushing soft alarms ; Pleased with herself, admired of all around, With graceful step she walks the awful round ; As all give place, but half-inclined retire, Anxious to gaze on charms which all inspire ; While passing near, the flattering whispers sigh. And mark the object by the tell-tale eye : So proudly dashed the barque, midst brushing noise, The sailor’s harmony, that never cloys ; With course majestic through the fleet she steers. And passing, meets an homage of loud cheers ; In these a warm farewell is ta’en and given, By friends who part to meet — perhaps in heaven ! Thin are the clouds that life’s heyday o’ercast. And soon dispel, forgotten when they’re past ; 70 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Not quicker rush the mingling waters o’er The place the vessel occupied before, Than crowd the rapid thoughts across the mind, And leave no traces of the past behind ; For ere a thought can in their minds have birth Fancy has ta’en her flight round half the earth ; Nor rest is doomed their fluttering wings to find, Until Columbian shores the ocean bind. Lured by fond hopes, we skim the inland sea. And seek the channel, by the south, that’s free ; The narrows gain ; and, favoured by the wind. Soon leave Manila and its shores behind. On Jason’s thoughtful mind no mirth appears, No hope elates him, nor no prospect cheers. But sad presages of approaching woe, Deep o’er his soul their gloomy mantle throw ; Retired and silent, on the poop reclined, While former scenes pass slowly through his mind; By distance mellowed, but distinct the lines, Far in the shade obscure the present times. Still was the night, and clear the vault of heaven ; Flow choice for minds to contemplation given ! PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 71 In softest murmurs sighed each vassal wave. While playfully the barque they gently lave ; And sporting in the moonbeam’s silvery light, Lend their attractions to the soul’s delight. The crescent pale with mildest radiance shone. Nor yet too young, nor too complete was grown; But, virgin like, with chastest rays it smiled. And thoughts from earth to heaven unconscious wiled. Just such a night, so clear, serene and still. When Cynthia’s beams o’ertop the verdant hill, Do angel spirits wing their aerial way. From high descend, and on the moonbeams play ; With fragrance fill the air, and sweetest sounds, Till nature smiles, and earth with joy abounds. Just such a night. Ah ! — how serenely fair ! When the heath’s flower perfumed the fragrant air; How oft in former, — ah ! too distant days! When ’twas no sin to bask in beauty’s rays, He’s seen the urchin aim his well poised dart, Nor fail to strike — to pierce a feeling heart ; But unavailing all ; — too chill the soil (For ever doomed by sternest fate to toil) Love’s flowers to nourish, for they withering died, Or shivering to their heavenly homes they hied ; 72 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Bore with them thence the love-drop, man receives With life’s spark linked, when nature kindly breathes, — A votive offering to love’s blinded god. And left the heart a cold and lifeless clod ! Just such a night, in youthful joyous band. How oft at home ! — ah ! now far distant land ! He’s wandered on, while converse did impart. The pure ideas reeking from the heart, With fervid glow, direct from friendship’s source, While thoughts ne’er entered that create remorse; All unrestrained the social spirits glow. No snares they dread, no artifice they know ; But freely quaff from life’s untainted stream, While yet ’tis but an unawakened dream ! Unfelt the bliss ; for spurred by nature’s laws. Advancement’s sought, and coveted applause : Then mingle feelings of a worldly course, Deep tinge the current, and pollute the source ; Like spotless ermine sullied by a stain, Can ne’er its pristine purity regain ; But since such halcyon days have ceased to bless. How changed the scene he has been doomed to trace ! FART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 73 What crowds of phantoms have his friendship claimed, — Assumed its garb, and loud its rites proclaimed; Till by the test essayed — the touch of need, Naked they’ve stood, or fled with guilty speed ; And left him — ne’er suspecting treach’rous art, Dire disappointment , and a wounded heart ; Till wrongs inure, and sad convictions show. All are not true , that in truth’s colours glow : Thoughts such as these employed his cheerless mind* Just in themselves, but to the shade inclined ; More sombre still, when present scenes were placed Opposed to those his mind discursive traced ; For now, the race begun, no rest he knows, — Now passing these, and passed himself by those ; By interest goaded with her thousand fears. Sunk deep in cares, scarce friendship’s voice he hears, But all around with selfish tinge appears. At length these pass, and more immediate ills Oppress his boding mind with anxious thrills. That no enquiry stand, nor reason’s test. But vaguely float, in gloomy colours dressed. All undefined, yet in the heart abide ; And all attempts to banish them deride ; — 74 THE COLUMBIAN. [CANTO I. E’en consolation baulk — the wretched’s claim, From those whose danger and whose hope ’s the same. Mild sent the moon her nightly farewell smile, And sank to rest behind Fortuna’s isle ; Onward we grope, deprived of light or stay At every pace, more intricate the way ; But still, resolved this shorter path to dare, Despise these dangers, for its gains to share ; For reason says, and points to eastward seas, — “Behold your safeguard ’gainst the northern breeze!” And thus admonished, spite the fickle wind,* The hidden entrance to the pass we find; For soon Mindora’s northern shores are seen, Luconia’s, south, our narrow path between : Like Scylla and Charybdis, sung of yore, On either side we shun the dangerous shore. And boldly pass, nor dread the Syren’s song, But ’gainst the breeze urge the loath bark along ; View with emotions of intense delight. This watery labyrinth’s enchanting sight, By thousand islands formed, of richest hue, The green of this, there mellowed into blue : Ambitious some, their peaks exalt on high. And crowned by clouds, are hid from mortal eye ; * See note H. PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 75 More humble others stretch to moderate height, Friendly to man, the culturing plough invite ; But desert all, — all savage and unknown, By rocks surrounded, and by woods o’ergrown. Charmed with the scene of nature wildly gay, We pass the Cape, where straitest is the way, But bold the channel; for the depth is more Than surface measurement from shore to shore. Now stands Mandruque, to oppose us, forth. Adroit we wheel, and leave it on the north; Despise the frowning of its towering hills, For vain its efforts to oppose our wills ; Soon as its dangerous shores we safely clear, Stretch farther north, till Buria low appear ; This Masbate fronts, with triple summit crowned, Their savage shores our narrow passage bound ; But like the bird, by magic serpent wiled. Which hops and sings until it is beguiled; With thoughtless levity still nearer draws, At length is gulfed within the monster’s jaws : — So we, grown callous to our blinded state, Impetuous rush to meet a kindred fate ! Six days this watery way we winding tread. The chart an equal to the mystic thread : 76 THE COLUMB1AD. [CANTO I. The seventh, propitious to our hopes arose, And show’d the goal where present labours close ; But transient as the winter’s short-lived beam, — O’erclouded ere it sheds its sickly gleam ; So lived our hopes, — for now in awful gloom Of livid fire, the sun forebodes our doom ; By clouds enveloped, through whose dusky face, A sullen glare pervades the vapoury space; Deep sigh the woods, as close we pass the shore, And, though a calm, the hollow breakers roar : Foaming they wash the muddy strands around. Then back recoiling from the rocks rebound With horrid surge, to us ill omened sight, And direr yet when day has sunk to night ; For still the dangers of our way are near: Batag’s hoarse breakers on the lee we hear In consort with the gale, now howling loud ’Mongst ropes, and yards, and thro’ each faithful shroud ; Mercator, perched like hawk in quest of prey, Ilis eye -balls strains to mark each fleeting spray, Discerns fresh dangers, as we adverse plough The crested seas, towards the leeward bow ; The time for prudent fear he sees has past, Commands fresh canvass on each straining mast, PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 77 Our way to windward boldly to pursue, — To turn is ruin ; — death we leeward view : The waning moon at length is faintly seen. Yet lends few rays, so dense the hazy screen, But sends a lurid shade, a mournful light, To draw the veil, and show the appalling sight; Aghast we stand, and, almost in despair. Address to Heaven a silent heartfelt prayer ; Kind Heaven, auspicious, lends a gracious ear, The shoal we weather, our immediate fear. # Yet other dangers haunt our dubious way, Anxious we wait the coming dawrn of day ; No dawn appears, for, wonderous to relate, (Unknown before, sure presage of our fate,) The morning comes, but comes with lagging pace, Two hours behind, and shows a frowning face ; Its beams night’s gloomy curtain scarce withdraw, But seem obedient to her dusky law ; As fierce Alecto with revengeful band, When evil’s doomed to some devoted land, A ghastly smile o’erspreads her fiendish face, To mock the terrors of the human race ; So scowled the sun, as through the haze it rose, While loud the storm with tempest fury blows ; * See note I. 78 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Close, and more close the dim horizon nears, Obstructs the view, and fills our souls with fears ; The rushing waves, white, foaming, tower around, And to the view with lowering clouds confound, An undistinguished mass, while torrents pour, To add their horrors to the dreadful hour. The barque no longer now can labouring bear The close reefed topsails, and the courses square, For deep immersed in each successive sea. The guns and gunwale dip upon the lee ; Secured the courses, clued with nautic art, To the eased yards are lashed at every part ; Quit of the load, she bounds with grateful ease, And though still buried, cuts the mountain seas ; Like some bold leader, waged in dubious strife, By foes surrounded, combats for his life ; Though reeling from their blows, he scorns to yield. And still maintains the hard contested field; Then should some friend, observant of his state, Resolve to succour, and avert his fate, Renewed in vigour, the bold heroes toil. And back, repulsed, the daring foes recoil : — So from the barque relieved, with rushing sound, The spumy seas in broken waves rebound. PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 79 In mid air tossed, like sheets of liquid snow, Swift they descend, and on the decks o’erflow. Harder still pressed, by fate’s severest laws, The adverse wind more inauspicious draws ; Kindling in rage, and more impetuous grown, From the stout bolt-rope the reefed topsail’s blown, Whose noisy fragments shivering in the gale, Obstruct our efforts to replace the sail ; At length o’ercome, another suit is bent, With every caution that they can invent, But all in vain, for soon a furious blast Strips them, like autumn leaves, from off the mast : And now the stay-sails slide along the stay, To urge the vessel on her windward way, But of the topsails share the fate forlorn — From faithful hanks in thousand shreds are torn. Tethys hard labouring to replace the ill, Is forward seen, directing all with skill ; To loose the foresail all their care employs, While the reefed mizen forms an equipoise To force the ship, as long as hopes remain, From leeward shore ; or some safe creek to gain ; Like hopeless wanderer with ill-fated haste, Who lonely treads across some desert waste. 80 THE COLUMBIAD. [CANTO I. Taught by the aspect of the lowering sky, From storm of snow, impending fate to fly ; Useless his speed, — the coming showers descend In flaky torrents, and all traces blend ; Onward he struggles, desolate become. And plunging, strays at every step from home ; Of hope bereft, all friendly marks effaced, — The well-known beacon he had cautious placed In other times to mark his dangerous way, Where chasms yawn’d and precipices lay ; Few hopes remain should he attempt the path ; — To turn’s destruction ; to remain is death : The poignant thought, — from wife and family torn. Friendless and poor are left his loss to mourn ; — Pierced to the core, to desperation driven, He rushes on and leaves his fate to Heaven ! So we, too, conscious of our desperate state, In awful silence bide our wretched fate ; The land, no eye, however keen, can see, To view its form, and bearings on the lee ; Nature’s own lineaments obscured from sight, We scan the chart with hope’s expiring light ; From this, alas ! no consolation’s found, — It shows the rocky coast far stretched around, In crescent form, a deep encircling bay, Whose shelving points obstruct our dangerous way; PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD. 81 On change of wind alone our hope relies, But even this, mysterious Heaven denies ; The wind, relentless, owns its natural laws, Sweeps o’er the land oblique, and adverse draws On either hand — turn as we anxious will. Impedes our progress, and defeats our skill ; But still the love of life — man’s strongest tie, Lays hold of hope, permits it not to fly. — Points to the sails, though scanty and oppressed, If braced alternate we shall be at rest, And stayed in progress, midway may remain. And yet may live — our darkest fears prove vain : Now on the swelling waves we tower on high, Then in the trough anon we prostrate lie : Billows like mountains towering o’er the plain, Come rushing on, and treat us with disdain, Yet harmless pass, defeated of their prey, And haste to wreak their fury on the bay ; While hope revives on board, — a transient gleam, For through the haze the rocks are leeward seen ! Bold, and sharp pointed, naked in their form. They dauntless brave the loud imperious storm. Whose foaming waves bound from their sides on high, In brightening contrast ’gainst the lurid sky ! G 82 THE COLUMBIAl). [CANTO I. “ The rocks ! — the rocks !” in accents of despair. Is heard from all, who fear of danger share ; From many a tongue these plaintive cries proceed, For all on board immediate shipwreck dread ; Some cry to Allah, but to us address Their lingering hopes of succour and success ; Nor means employ, but in their wild despair, Beat their sad breasts and tear their matted hair ; PVe 9 more assured, on Heaven our faith repose. And ’gainst the storm all means of art oppose ; And thus evince, that danger’s trying hour Soon tests the feigned, and the real power : In summer’s sun, when scarce a cloud is seen, Confiding man on slender boughs may lean ; But when the wint’ry blast the forest tries, On trees matured his trust alone relies ! The fearful rocks we nearer still descry, And hope, our latest friend, prepared to fly ! But Heaven in pity saw, and by His aid, It fluttered, lingered, and at length it staid ; Perched on Mercator’s arm, his soul to cheer. And taught his mind the labouring bark to veer. * “Hard up the helm !” with judgment, prompt he cries, The obedient wheel to starboard quickly flies ; — * See Note K. PART II.] THE COLUMBIAD* 83 “ Brail up the spanker, if it be too fast, “ The axe employ, and cut it from the mast ; — “ No time is this half measures to pursue, “ With death so dreadful staring us in view ; —