Poems and Plays by Mr. Jerningham. In Four Volumes ... The Ninth Edition |
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THE SPEECH OF THE HIGH-PRIEST, AT THE PILE. |
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THE SPEECH OF THE HIGH-PRIEST, AT THE PILE.
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Guatimozino having opposed the Spaniards with great bravery in various engagements, was at length defeated and taken prisoner. In order to extort from him a discovery of the principal mines, he was laid on burning coals: The second in command was also condemned to the same torture, and amidst his sufferings called upon his royal master, to be released from the vow of secrecy; which drew from Guatimozino these memorable words: Am I on a bed of roses?—When the flames had entirely consumed the unfortunate Hero, the High-Priest of Mexico approached the pile, and lamented the fate of his royal Master.
When first th' inhuman deed appall'd his sight,
E'en as the cedar shrunk in sudden blight
He stood—while, at the dire appearance thrill'd,
Each function of the soul numb Horror chill'd:
At length, relenting into conscious grief,
The Seer exclaim'd—“Oh lov'd, oh hapless Chief!
“The ashes still that feed yon ling'ring flame,
“Do they of all thou art th' existence claim?
“Long school'd in pale Adversity's rude porch,
“Where Hope's gay scenes are burnt by Havock's torch,
“For me, with grief adjoin'd to age oppress'd,
“Remain'd but this to cleave my care-worn breast.
“In early youth to me thou wast consign'd,
“I watch'd the dawn of thy celestial mind,
“I saw, by Nature wak'd, thy talents rise,
“And Virtue mark them with her brightest dies.
“Ah! what avail these fruitless tears I shed?
“Tho' thou art gone—yet Vengeance is not dead:
“The pregnant womb of Time”—He added not—
While from his eye a radiant meaning shot.
His bosom heav'd with a prophetic throe,
Till language gave his struggling thoughts to flow.
E'en as the cedar shrunk in sudden blight
He stood—while, at the dire appearance thrill'd,
Each function of the soul numb Horror chill'd:
At length, relenting into conscious grief,
The Seer exclaim'd—“Oh lov'd, oh hapless Chief!
143
“Do they of all thou art th' existence claim?
“Long school'd in pale Adversity's rude porch,
“Where Hope's gay scenes are burnt by Havock's torch,
“For me, with grief adjoin'd to age oppress'd,
“Remain'd but this to cleave my care-worn breast.
“In early youth to me thou wast consign'd,
“I watch'd the dawn of thy celestial mind,
“I saw, by Nature wak'd, thy talents rise,
“And Virtue mark them with her brightest dies.
“Ah! what avail these fruitless tears I shed?
“Tho' thou art gone—yet Vengeance is not dead:
“The pregnant womb of Time”—He added not—
While from his eye a radiant meaning shot.
His bosom heav'd with a prophetic throe,
Till language gave his struggling thoughts to flow.
“Methinks Futurity, celestial Maid,
“Thro' distant Time's dim length'ning isle display'd,
“Pours on my favour'd vision days unborn,
“That pant impatient for the ling'ring morn:
“Smooth as the clear expanse of vernal skies,
“A world of water claims my wond'ring eyes;
“See on its wavy breast, in splendid pride,
“Innum'rous brigantines triumphant ride :
“Mark how the gorgeous mass advancing ploughs
“The groaning main with high aspiring prows:
“Secure in all the haughtiness of strength,
“It moves a crescent of tremendous length,
“And big with thunders and destructive force,
“To Britain's coast directs its threat'ning course.
“Oft has Las Casas, in applauding strain,
“To me reveal'd that sea-encircled plain.
“Thou Glory of the West! Enchantment's isle,
“Where beauteous maids on godlike heroes smile:
“By Nature's hand with Nature's chaplet crown'd,
“In arts, in commerce, and in arms renown'd;
“August, magnificent, exalted Dame,
“As with a garment rob'd in Freedom's flame!
“Arise, arise—forestall th' intended blow,
“See to thy portal sails th' audacious foe.
“Thro' distant Time's dim length'ning isle display'd,
“Pours on my favour'd vision days unborn,
“That pant impatient for the ling'ring morn:
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“A world of water claims my wond'ring eyes;
“See on its wavy breast, in splendid pride,
“Innum'rous brigantines triumphant ride :
“Mark how the gorgeous mass advancing ploughs
“The groaning main with high aspiring prows:
“Secure in all the haughtiness of strength,
“It moves a crescent of tremendous length,
“And big with thunders and destructive force,
“To Britain's coast directs its threat'ning course.
“Oft has Las Casas, in applauding strain,
“To me reveal'd that sea-encircled plain.
“Thou Glory of the West! Enchantment's isle,
“Where beauteous maids on godlike heroes smile:
“By Nature's hand with Nature's chaplet crown'd,
“In arts, in commerce, and in arms renown'd;
“August, magnificent, exalted Dame,
“As with a garment rob'd in Freedom's flame!
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“See to thy portal sails th' audacious foe.
“Another scenery is now display'd,
“No more the main assembled vessels shade,
“A beggar'd remnant (of the splendid throng
“That swept in conscious majesty along)
“With prows disfigur'd, and dishonour'd masts,
“While thro' the rent sails mourn the hollow blasts,
“In shatter'd, mean, dismantled, rude array,
“Steal o'er the waves their ignominious way.
“Oh! of thy brilliant and extensive train
“Do these, Armada, these alone remain?
“Who has o'erthrown the honours of thy helm?
“The voice of Fame replies—Eliza's realm!—
“Where lurk thy galleons that surpris'd the deep?
“Loud Fame replies—In Ocean's tomb they sleep!
“And of Hispania once the bright renown,
“Now glows an added gem to Britain's crown.”
“No more the main assembled vessels shade,
“A beggar'd remnant (of the splendid throng
“That swept in conscious majesty along)
“With prows disfigur'd, and dishonour'd masts,
“While thro' the rent sails mourn the hollow blasts,
“In shatter'd, mean, dismantled, rude array,
“Steal o'er the waves their ignominious way.
“Oh! of thy brilliant and extensive train
“Do these, Armada, these alone remain?
“Who has o'erthrown the honours of thy helm?
“The voice of Fame replies—Eliza's realm!—
“Where lurk thy galleons that surpris'd the deep?
“Loud Fame replies—In Ocean's tomb they sleep!
“And of Hispania once the bright renown,
“Now glows an added gem to Britain's crown.”
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The curiosity of an ignorant Mexican, concerning the origin of the Air, is so poetically expressed in the following lines, that the Editor thinks himself justified in re-printing them, though they were omitted by the Author in the last edition of his Poems.
“Whence is that veering spirit of the sky,
“Whose secret form eludes the human eye;
“Who now, unmindful of its matchless pow'r
“Indulgent whispers to the vernal flow'r,
“Plays with her leaves, and hov'ring o'er her bloom
“From her young breast allures the enclos'd perfume:
“And now, envelop'd in a sullen mood,
“Tempestuous rushes on the groaning wood;
“Arm'd with destructive energy, invades,
“Despoils, devasts the consecrated shades?”
“Whose secret form eludes the human eye;
“Who now, unmindful of its matchless pow'r
“Indulgent whispers to the vernal flow'r,
“Plays with her leaves, and hov'ring o'er her bloom
“From her young breast allures the enclos'd perfume:
“And now, envelop'd in a sullen mood,
“Tempestuous rushes on the groaning wood;
“Arm'd with destructive energy, invades,
“Despoils, devasts the consecrated shades?”
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