....er orbis
Extremos fines, * *
To what does this clause refer? We are rather inclined to give our preference to the former reading, though after all it must be a question of taste rather than of criticism. But have we succeeded the better for confining ourself to fewer lines and to the easier stanza? We think not. In particular, we have entirely omitted, in the second stanza, all mention of His munificent designs upon the Western shores; which in a son of Yale is indeed an unpardonable omission. We will e’en go back to Spenser, and try our luck again under the banner of this prince of versifiers.
Behold the man whose deeds with justice ring
Through Earth’s remotest bounds, deserving fame;
O’er boisterous seas did he his treasure bring
From India’s shore, and scattered round the same
With liberality where’er he came;
The clouds of Ignorance, like the shades of night
From morning rays, flee from before his name.