[2] Herrera, dec. I. lib. i. c. 9.
[3] Rev. xix. 17.
CANTO II.
The Voyage continued.
“What vast foundations in the Abyss are there,[]
As of a former world?[[1]] Is it not where
ATLANTIC kings their barbarous pomp display’d;[[j]]
Sunk into darkness with the realms they sway’d,
When towers and temples, thro’ the closing wave,[[k]]
A glimmering ray of antient splendour gave—
And we shall rest with them. Arise, behold,
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We stop to stir no more…nor will the tale be told.”
The pilot smote his breast; the watch-man cried
“Land!” and his voice in faltering accents died.[[l]]
At once the fury of the prow was quell’d;
And (whence or why from many an age withheld)[[2]]
Shrieks, not of men, were mingling in the blast;
And armed shapes of god-like stature pass’d!
Slowly along the evening sky they went,
As on the edge of some vast battlement;
Helmet and shield, and spear and gonfalon
Streaming a baleful light that was not of the sun!
Long from the stern the great Adventurer gaz’d
With awe not fear; then high his hands he rais’d.
“Thou All-supreme—-in goodness as in power,
Who, from his birth to this eventful hour,
Hast led thy servant[[3]] over land and sea,
Confessing Thee in all, and all in Thee,
Oh still”—He spoke, and lo, the charm accurst
Fled whence it came, and the broad barrier burst!
A vain illusion! (such as mocks the eyes
Of fearful men, when mountains round them rise
From less than nothing[[4]]) nothing now beheld,
But scatter’d sedge—repelling, and repell’d!
And once again that valiant company
Right onward came, ploughing the Unknown Sea.
Already borne beyond the range of thought,
With Light divine, with Truth immortal fraught,
From world to world their steady course they keep,[[5]]
Swift as the winds along the waters sweep,
Mid the mute nations of the purple deep.
—And now the sound of harpy-wings they hear;
Now less and less, as vanishing in fear!
And, see, the heav’ns bow down, the waters rise.
And, rising, shoot in columns to the skies,[[6]]
That stand—and still, when they proceed, retire,
As in the Desert burn’d the sacred fire;[[7]]
Moving in silent majesty, till Night
Descends, and shuts the vision from their sight.
[1] In like manner the companions of Ulysses utter their thoughts without reserve. Od. X.
[2] The author seems to have anticipated his long slumber in the library of the Fathers.
[3] ‘They may give me what name they please. I am servant of Him, &c.’ F. Columbus, c 2.
[4] Isaiah xl. 17.