In chains! in chains! homeward once more he came! Life’s sky is veiled in midnight drear and dark;— And this is his reward! They leave no mark Those shameless fetters on his own fair fame. The shaft may pierce his soul, but yet no shame Bows that proud head; he is the victor still; He triumphs in a stern, unconquered will. His ’scutcheon fair was dimmed by breath of blame; The stain is washed away by woman’s tears; His patron-queen forbids his anxious fears— Her gracious sweetness brings him to the dust. The pledge of royal favor now he hears.— But, oh! too long it waited—_to be just_; While care and grief led on the lingering years.
The evening sky is bright with blended hues; A soft, mild radiance, borrowed from on high, Seems, to our view, to bring e’en heaven nigh, And its pure essence in our souls infuse. Thus, to that noble heart, as from the sky, There came a presence, in life’s slow decline; He viewed it as a holy seal and sign— The Cross must crown the city of the Jews! Like the pure incense-flame he soars from earth; In fancy sees the prophet’s page unroll, And reads therein the presage of his birth, The mighty mission of his single soul! Life’s pathway bears for him a healing balm, Which cheers his heart and nerves his fainting arm.
He cometh to the shore of that vast sea,[5] Whereon he never yet hath spread his sail; His last, last voyage. Now every chart must fail, Save that, our Father! he received of Thee! With an unwavering trust he meets the wave, Which bears him onward to the dread unknown; From man’s injustice to that mighty Throne, Supreme in power, Omnipotent to save. Ah! ne’er from that far land shall he return! His dust shall mingle with his mother-earth In that fair isle to which his skill gave birth.[6] That mighty soul! where doth it “breathe and burn?” What worlds hath it discerned beyond the tomb, Which to our eyes are all enwrapped in gloom?
“The shore Of that vast ocean we must sail so soon.”
[6] The remains of Columbus were deposited in the convent of St. Francisco, but repeatedly removed, and, finally, on the 15th January, 1796, transferred, with almost regal pomp, to the island of Cuba.
Go forth in beauty blushing to the one I love so well— Let this dewy fragrance gushing to his spirit softly tell How a secret, sweet revealing from a gentle kindred heart, Far through his bosom stealing, comes to seek its nobler part.