Address to the patriots
who have survived the conflict; exhorting them to preserve
liberty they have established. The danger of losing it by inattention
illustrated in the rape of the Golden Fleece. Freedom succeeding to
Despotism in the moral world, like Order succeeding to Chaos in the
physical world. Atlas, the guardian Genius of Africa, denounces to
Hesper the crimes of his people in the slavery of the Afripans. The
Author addresses his countrymen on that subject, and on the principles
of their government.
Hesper, recurring to his object of showing Columbus the importance of
his discoveries, reverses the order of time, and exhibits the continent
again in its savage state. He then displays the progress of arts in
America. Fur-trade. Fisheries. Productions. Commerce. Education.
Philosophical discoveries. Painting. Poetry.
Hail, holy Peace, from thy sublime abode
Mid circling saints that grace the throne of God!
Before his arm around our embryon earth
Stretch'd the dim void, and gave to nature birth.
Ere morning stars his glowing chambers hung,
Or songs of gladness woke an angel's tongue,
Veil'd in the splendors of his beamful mind,
In blest repose thy placid form reclined,
Lived in his life, his inward sapience caught,
And traced and toned his universe of thought.
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