THE VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS. CANTO I. Night-Columbus on the Atlantic-the Variation of the Compass, SAY who, when age on age had rolled away, And still, as sunk the golden Orb of day, The seaman watched him, while he lingered here, And gazed and gazed and wondered where he went, Him, ere the birth of Time by Heaven designed To lift the veil that covered half mankind, Yet, ere I die, I would fulfil my vow; 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, Half breathed his orisons! Alone unchanged, "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, That Oracle to man in mercy given, Whose voice is truth, whose wisdom is from heaven, Who over sands and seas directs the stray, And, as with God's own finger, points the way, He turned; but what strange thoughts perplexed his soul, When, lo, no more attracted to the Pole, "Ah no!" he cried, and calmed his anxious brow. 66 Ill, nor the signs of ill, 'tis thine to show; Thine but to lead me where I wished to go!" COLUMBUS erred not. In that awful hour, An Angel came! He spoke, and it was done! Sprung with unerring, unrelenting force, From the bright East. Tides duly ebbed and flowed; Stars rose and set; and new horizons glowed; *Herrera, dec. I. lib. i. c. 9. + Rev. xix. 17. Yet still it blew! As with primeval sway Still did its ample spirit, night and day, CANTO II. The Voyage continued. "WHAT vast foundations in the Abyss are there, ATLANTIC kings their barbarous pomp displayed; -Soon is the doubt resolved. Arise, behold We stop to stir no more nor will the tale be told." The pilot smote his breast; the watchman cried Long from the stern the great Adventurer gazed With awe not fear; then high his hands he raised. "Thou All-supreme --- in goodness as in power, Who, from his birth to this eventful hour, * Hast led thy servant over land and sea,* Oh still"-He spoke, and lo, the charm accurst *They may give me what name they please. I am servant of Him, &c. Hist. del Almirante, c. 2. |