Night-Columbus on the Atlantic-the Variation of SAY who, when age on age had rolled away, And gazed and gazed and wondered where he went, Praise cannot wound his generous spirit now. 'Twas night. The Moon, o'er the wide wave, disclosed Her awful face; and Nature's self reposed; When, slowly rising in the azure sky, Three white sails shone-but to no mortal eye, "Thee hath it pleased-Thy will be done!" he said, Then sought his cabin; and, their garments spread, Around him lay the sleeping as the dead, When, by his lamp, to that mysterious Guide, Whose voice is truth, whose wisdom is from heaven, And, as with God's own finger, points the way, He turned; but what strange thoughts perplexed his soul, COLUMBUS erred not. In that awful hour, *Herrera, dec. I. lib. i. c. 9. + Rev. xix. 17. |