The Poetical Works of Beattie, Blair, and Falconer Part 34

CANTO I.

THE SCENE OF WHICH LIES NEAR THE CITY OF CANDIA.

TIME, ABOUT FOUR DAYS AND A HALF.

THE ARGUMENT.

I. Retrospect of the voyage.

Arrival at Candia.

State of that island.

Season of the year described.

II. Character of the master, and his officers, Albert, Rodmond, and Arion.

Palemon, son to the owner of the ship.

Attachment of Palemon to Anna, the daughter of Albert.

III. Noon.

Palemon's history.

IV. Sunset.

Midnight.

Arion's dream.

Unmoor by moonlight.

Morning.

Sun's azimuth taken.

Beautiful appearance of the ship, as seen by the natives from the sh.o.r.e.

I. A ship from Egypt, o'er the deep impell'd By guiding winds, her course for Venice held: Of famed Britannia were the gallant crew, And from that isle her name the vessel drew.

The wayward steps of fortune they pursued, And sought in certain ills imagined good: Though caution'd oft her slippery path to shun, Hope still with promised joys allured them on; And, while they listen'd to her winning lore, The softer scenes of peace could please no more. 10 Long absent they from friends and native home The cheerless ocean were inured to roam; Yet Heaven, in pity to severe distress, Had crown'd each painful voyage with success; Still, to compensate toils and hazards past, Restored them to maternal plains at last.

Thrice had the sun, to rule the varying year, Across the equator roll'd his naming sphere, Since last the vessel spread her ample sail From Albion's coast, obsequious to the gale; 20 She o'er the s.p.a.cious flood, from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e Unwearying wafted her commercial store; The richest ports of Afric she had view'd, Thence to fair Italy her course pursued; Had left behind Trinacria's burning isle, And visited the margin of the Nile.

And now that winter deepens round the pole, The circling voyage hastens to its goal: They, blind to fate's inevitable law, No dark event to blast their hope foresaw; 30 But from gay Venice soon expect to steer For Britain's coast, and dread no perils near: Inflamed by hope, their throbbing hearts, elate, Ideal pleasures vainly antedate, Before whose vivid intellectual ray Distress recedes, and danger melts away.

Already British coasts appear to rise, The chalky cliffs salute their longing eyes; Each to his breast, where floods of rapture roll, Embracing strains the mistress of his soul; 40 Nor less o'erjoy'd, with sympathetic truth, Each faithful maid expects the approaching youth.

In distant souls congenial pa.s.sions glow, And mutual feelings mutual bliss bestow: Such shadowy happiness their thoughts employ, Illusion all, and visionary joy!

Thus time elapsed, while o'er the pathless tide Their ship through Grecian seas the pilots guide.

Occasion call'd to touch at Candia's sh.o.r.e, Which, blest with favouring winds, they soon explore; The haven enter, borne before the gale, 50 Despatch their commerce, and prepare to sail.

Eternal powers! what ruins from afar Mark the fell track of desolating war: Here arts and commerce with auspicious reign Once breathed sweet influence on the happy plain: While o'er the lawn, with dance and festive song, Young Pleasure led the jocund hours along: In gay luxuriance Ceres too was seen To crown the valleys with eternal green: 60 For wealth, for valour, courted and revered, What Albion is, fair Candia then appear'd.

Ah! who the flight of ages can revoke?

The free-born spirit of her sons is broke, They bow to Ottoman's imperious yoke.

No longer fame their drooping heart inspires, For stern oppression quench'd its genial fires: Though still her fields, with golden harvests crown'd, Supply the barren sh.o.r.es of Greece around, Sharp penury afflicts these wretched isles, 70 There hope ne'er dawns, and pleasure never smiles: The va.s.sal wretch contented drags his chain, And hears his famish'd babes lament in vain.

These eyes have seen the dull reluctant soil A seventh year mock the weary labourer's toil.

No blooming Venus, on the desert sh.o.r.e, Now views with triumph captive G.o.ds adore; No lovely Helens now with fatal charms Excite the avenging chiefs of Greece to arms; No fair Penelopes enchant the eye, 80 For whom contending kings were proud to die: Here sullen beauty sheds a twilight ray, While sorrow bids her vernal bloom decay: Those charms, so long renown'd in cla.s.sic strains, Had dimly shone on Albion's happier plains!

Now in the southern hemisphere the sun Through the bright Virgin, and the Scales, had run, And on the Ecliptic wheel'd his winding way, Till the fierce Scorpion felt his flaming ray.

Four days becalm'd the vessel here remains, 90 And yet no hopes of aiding wind obtains; For sickening vapours lull the air to sleep, And not a breeze awakes the silent deep: This, when the autumnal equinox is o'er, And Phoebus in the north declines no more, The watchful mariner, whom Heaven informs, Oft deems the prelude of approaching storms.

No dread of storms the master's soul restrain, A captive fetter'd to the oar of gain: His anxious heart, impatient of delay, 100 Expects the winds to sail from Candia's bay, Determined, from whatever point they rise, To trust his fortune to the seas and skies.

Thou living ray of intellectual fire, Whose voluntary gleams my verse inspire, Ere yet the deepening incidents prevail, Till roused attention feel our plaintive tale; Record whom chief among the gallant crew The unblest pursuit of fortune hither drew!

Can sons of Neptune, generous, brave, and bold, 110 In pain and hazard toil for sordid gold?

They can! for gold too oft with magic art Can rule the pa.s.sions, and corrupt the heart: This crowns the prosperous villain with applause, To whom in vain sad merit pleads her cause; This strews with roses life's perplexing road, And leads the way to pleasure's soft abode; This spreads with slaughter'd heaps the b.l.o.o.d.y plain, And pours adventurous thousands o'er the main.

II. The stately ship with all her daring band 120 To skilful Albert own'd the chief command: Though train'd in boisterous elements, his mind Was yet by soft humanity refined; Each joy of wedded love at home he knew; Aboard, confest the father of his crew!

Brave, liberal, just, the calm domestic scene Had o'er his temper breathed a gay serene: Him Science taught by mystic lore to trace The planets wheeling in eternal race; To mark the ship in floating balance held, 130 By earth attracted, and by seas repell'd; Or point her devious track through climes unknown That leads to every sh.o.r.e and every zone.

He saw the moon through heaven's blue concave glide, And into motion charm the expanding tide, While earth impetuous round her axle rolls, Exalts her watery zone, and sinks the poles; Light and attraction, from their genial source, He saw still wandering with diminish'd force; While on the margin of declining day 140 Night's shadowy cone reluctant melts away-- Inured to peril, with unconquer'd soul, The chief beheld tempestuous oceans roll: O'er the wild surge when dismal shades preside, His equal skill the lonely bark could guide; His genius, ever for the event prepared, Rose with the storm, and all its dangers shared.

Rodmond the next degree to Albert bore, A hardy son of England's farthest sh.o.r.e, Where bleak Northumbria pours her savage train 150 In sable squadrons o'er the northern main; That, with her pitchy entrails stored, resort, A sooty tribe, to fair Augusta's port: Where'er in ambush lurk the fatal sands, They claim the danger, proud of skilful bands; For while with darkling course their vessels sweep The winding sh.o.r.e, or plough the faithless deep, O'er bar and shelf the watery path they sound With dexterous arm, sagacious of the ground: Fearless they combat every hostile wind, 160 Wheeling in mazy tracks, with course inclined: Expert to moor where terrors line the road, Or win the anchor from its dark abode; But drooping, and relax'd, in climes afar, Tumultuous and undisciplined in war.

Such Rodmond was; by learning unrefined, That oft enlightens to corrupt the mind-- Boisterous of manners; train'd in early youth To scenes that shame the conscious cheek of truth; To scenes that nature's struggling voice control, 170 And freeze compa.s.sion rising in the soul: Where the grim h.e.l.l-hounds, prowling round the sh.o.r.e, With foul intent the stranded bark explore: Deaf to the voice of woe, her decks they board, While tardy justice slumbers o'er her sword.

The indignant Muse, severely taught to feel, Shrinks from a theme she blushes to reveal.

Too oft example, arm'd with poisons fell, Pollutes the shrine where mercy loves to dwell: Thus Rodmond, train'd by this unhallow'd crew, 180 The sacred social pa.s.sions never knew.

Unskill'd to argue, in dispute yet loud, Bold without caution, without honours proud; In art unschool'd, each veteran rule he prized, And all improvement haughtily despised.

Yet, though full oft to future perils blind, With skill superior glow'd his daring mind, Through snares of death the reeling bark to guide, When midnight shades involve the raging tide.

To Rodmond, next in order of command, 190 Succeeds the youngest [1] of our naval band: But what avails it to record a name That courts no rank among the sons of fame; Whose vital spring had just begun to bloom, When o'er it sorrow spread her sickening gloom?

While yet a stripling, oft with fond alarms His bosom danced to nature's boundless charms; On him fair science dawn'd in happier hour, Awakening into bloom young fancy's flower But soon adversity, with freezing blast, 200 The blossom wither'd, and the dawn o'ercast.

Forlorn of heart, and by severe decree Condemn'd reluctant to the faithless sea, With long farewell he left the laurel grove, Where science and the tuneful sisters rove-- Hither he wander'd, anxious to explore Antiquities of nations now no more; To penetrate each distant realm unknown, And range excursive o'er the untravell'd zone.

In vain--for rude adversity's command 210 Still on the margin of each famous land, With unrelenting ire his steps opposed, And every gate of hope against him closed.

Permit my verse, ye blest Pierian train!

To call Arion this ill-fated swain; For, like that bard unhappy, on his head Malignant stars their hostile influence shed: Both, in lamenting numbers, o'er the deep With conscious anguish taught the harp to weep; And both the raging surge in safety bore 220 Amid destruction, panting to the sh.o.r.e: This last, our tragic story from the wave Of dark oblivion haply yet may save; With genuine sympathy may yet complain, While sad remembrance bleeds at every vein.

These, chief among the ship's conducting train, Her path explored along the deep domain; Train'd to command, and range the swelling sail, Whose varying force conforms to every gale.

Charged with the commerce, hither also came 230 A gallant youth, Palemon was his name: A father's stern resentment doom'd to prove, He came the victim of unhappy love!

His heart for Albert's beauteous daughter bled, For her a sacred flame his bosom fed: Nor let the wretched slaves of folly scorn This genuine pa.s.sion, nature's eldest born!

'Twas his with lasting anguish to complain, While blooming Anna mourn'd the cause in vain.

Graceful of form, by nature taught to please, 240 Of power to melt the female breast with ease; To her Palemon told his tender tale, Soft as the voice of summer's evening gale: His soul, where moral truth spontaneous grew, No guilty wish, no cruel pa.s.sion knew: Though tremblingly alive to nature's laws, Yet ever firm to honour's sacred cause; O'erjoy'd he saw her lovely eyes relent, The blushing maiden smiled with sweet consent.

Oft in the mazes of a neighbouring grove 250 Unheard they breathed alternate vows of love: By fond society their pa.s.sion grew, Like the young blossom fed with vernal dew; While their chaste souls possess'd the pleasing pains That truth improves, and virtue ne'er restrains.

In evil hour the officious tongue of fame Betray'd the secret of their mutual flame.

With grief and anger struggling in his breast, Palemon's father heard the tale confest: Long had he listen'd with suspicion's ear, 260 And learn'd, sagacious, this event to fear.

Too well, fair youth! thy liberal heart he knew, A heart to nature's warm impressions true: Full oft his wisdom strove with fruitless toil With avarice to pollute that generous soil: That soil, impregnated with n.o.bler seed, Refused the culture of so rank a weed.

Elate with wealth in active commerce won, And basking in the smile of fortune's sun; For many freighted ships from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e, 270 Their wealthy charge by his appointment bore: With scorn the parent eyed the lowly shade That veil'd the beauties of this charming maid.

He, by the l.u.s.t of riches only moved, Such mean connexions haughtily reproved: Indignant he rebuked the enamour'd boy, The flattering promise of his future joy: He soothed and menaced, anxious to reclaim This hopeless pa.s.sion, or divert its aim: Oft led the youth where circling joys delight 280 The ravish'd sense, or beauty charms the sight.

With all her powers enchanting music fail'd, And pleasure's syren voice no more prevail'd: Long with unequal art, in vain he strove To quench the ethereal flame of ardent love.

The merchant, kindling then with proud disdain, In look and voice a.s.sumed a harsher strain.

In absence now his only hope remain'd; And such the stern decree his will ordain'd: Deep anguish, while Palemon heard his doom, 290 Drew o'er his lovely face a saddening gloom; High beat his heart, fast flow'd the unbidden tear, His bosom heaved with agony severe: In vain with bitter sorrow he repined, No tender pity touch'd that sordid mind-- To thee, brave Albert! was the charge consign'd.

The stately ship, forsaking England's sh.o.r.e, To regions far remote Palemon bore.

Incapable of change, the unhappy youth Still loved fair Anna with eternal truth; 300 Still Anna's image swims before his sight In fleeting vision through the restless night; From clime to clime an exile doom'd to roam, His heart still panted for its secret home.

The moon had circled twice her wayward zone, To him since young Arion first was known; Who, wandering here through many a scene renown'd, In Alexandria's port the vessel found; Where, anxious to review his native sh.o.r.e, He on the roaring wave embark'd once more. 310 Oft by pale Cynthia's melancholy light With him Palemon kept the watch of night, In whose sad bosom many a sigh suppress'd Some painful secret of the soul confess'd: Perhaps Arion soon the cause divined, Though shunning still to probe a wounded mind; He felt the chast.i.ty of silent woe, Though glad the balm of comfort to bestow.

He with Palemon oft recounted o'er The tales of hapless love in ancient lore, 320 Recall'd to memory by the adjacent sh.o.r.e: The scene thus present, and its story known, The lover sigh'd for sorrows not his own.

Thus, though a recent date their friendship bore, Soon the ripe metal own'd the quickening ore; For in one tide their pa.s.sions seem'd to roll, By kindred age and sympathy of soul.

These o'er the inferior naval train preside, The course determine, or the commerce guide: O'er all the rest an undistinguished crew, 330 Her wing of deepest shade oblivion drew.

A sullen languor still the skies oppress'd, And held the unwilling ship in strong arrest: High in his chariot glow'd the lamp of day, O'er Ida flaming with meridian ray; Relax'd from toil the sailors range the sh.o.r.e, Where famine, war, and storm are felt no more; The hour to social pleasure they resign, And black remembrance drown in generous wine.

On deck, beneath the shading canvas spread, 340 Rodmond a rueful tale of wonders read Of dragons roaring on the enchanted coast; The hideous goblin, and the yelling ghost: But with Arion, from the sultry heat Of noon, Palemon sought a cool retreat.

And, lo! the sh.o.r.e with mournful prospects crown'd, [2]

The rampart torn with many a fatal wound, The ruin'd bulwark tottering o'er the strand, Bewail the stroke of war's tremendous hand: What scenes of woe this hapless isle o'erspread! 350 Where late thrice fifty thousand warriors bled.

Full twice twelve summers were yon towers a.s.sail'd, Till barbarous Ottoman at last prevail'd; While thundering mines the lovely plains o'erturn'd, While heroes fell, and domes and temples burn'd.

III. But now before them happier scenes arise, Elysian vales salute their ravish'd eyes; Olive and cedar form'd a grateful shade, Where light with gay romantic error stray'd: The myrtles here with fond caresses twine, 360 There, rich with nectar, melts the pregnant vine And, lo! the stream renown'd in cla.s.sic song, Sad Lethe, glides the silent vale along.

On mossy banks, beneath the citron grove, The youthful wanderers found a wild alcove; Soft o'er the fairy region languor stole, And with sweet melancholy charm'd the soul.

Here first Palemon, while his pensive mind For consolation on his friend reclined, In pity's bleeding bosom pour'd the stream 370 Of love's soft anguish, and of grief supreme: "Too true thy words! by sweet remembrance taught, My heart in secret bleeds with tender thought; In vain it courts the solitary shade, By every action, every look betray'd: The pride of generous woe disdains appeal To hearts that unrelenting frosts congeal; Yet sure, if right Palemon can divine, The sense of gentle pity dwells in thine: Yes! all his cares thy sympathy shall know, 380 And prove the kind companion of his woe.

"Albert thou know'st with skill and science graced, In humble station though by fortune placed, Yet never seaman more serenely brave Led Britain's conquering squadrons o'er the wave: Where full in view Augusta's spires are seen, With flowery lawns and waving woods between, An humble habitation rose, beside Where Thames meandering rolls his ample tide: There live the hope and pleasure of his life, 390 A pious daughter, and a faithful wife: For his return with fond officious care, Still every grateful object these prepare: Whatever can allure the smell or sight, Or wake the drooping spirits to delight.

"This blooming maid in virtue's path to guide The admiring parents all their care applied; Her spotless soul to soft affection train'd, No voice untuned, no sickening folly stain'd!

Not fairer grows the lily of the vale, 400 Whose bosom opens to the vernal gale: Her eyes, unconscious of their fatal charms, Thrill'd every heart with exquisite alarms: Her face, in beauty's sweet attraction dress'd, The smile of maiden innocence express'd; While health, that rises with the new-born day, Breathed o'er her cheek the softest blush of May: Still in her look complacence smiled serene; She moved the charmer of the rural scene!

"'Twas at that season when the fields resume 410 Their loveliest hues, array'd in vernal bloom: Yon ship, rich freighted from the Italian sh.o.r.e, To Thames' fair banks her costly tribute bore: While thus my father saw his ample h.o.a.rd, From this return, with recent treasures stored, Me, with affairs of commerce charged, he sent To Albert's humble mansion--soon I went!

Too soon, alas! unconscious of the event.