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No holy relick rich-enchas'd

This humble low-roof'd temple grac❜d.

But flow'rets from the neighb'ring wood,
The unambitious altar ftrew'd;

For incenfe they exhal'd perfume,

For ornament they gave their bloom.

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The hermit fpoke- Hail virtuous pair,

May forrow now your bosom spare:

Tho' youth be yours, yet well I know • You've tafted deep of human woe! Control, and Art, and Bafenefs join'd, To cancel what your hearts defign'd: < But now Misfortune's reign is o'er, And Pleasure opens all her ftore.'

See now the youthful pair unite,
To meet the hymeneal rite:
Pronouncing as they lowly bow,

Warm from the heart, the hallow'd vow:
At length the hermit joins their hands
In willing and unvenal bands,

Unfpotted bands! which mutual Love,

And Confidence and Virtue wove.

THE

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SEE to the fane HISPANIA's troops repair,
Whofe high afcending tow'rs are loft in air.
From whence the MEXICANS with speedy art.
Show'r on the foe the death-inflicting dart:

Yet then by CORTEZ led, ftill undismay'd,

The SPANIARD hoft the lofty fane invade.
Two valiant youths (whom Friendship's holy hand
Had join'd with her indiffoluble band)

Beheld indignant, finit with patriot grief,
The great achievements of the hoftile chief:

And

* The fublime inftance of heroic friendîhip that forms the fubject of this poem, is recorded by ANTONIO DE SOLIS in his History of the Conqueft of Mexico. This is an Episode of a more extenfive poem, and being the part that was the most favourably receiv'd, I am not unwilling to facrifice a few pages for the fake of rendering my poetical offerings more acceptable to the public.

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And now JANELLAN thus accofts his friend:
Firm to no purpose, active to no end,

• See from our gallant men yon hallow'd tow'r
'Already ravifh'd by th' invading pow'r :
Muft this, committed to our mutual care,

The fame defeat, the fame dishonour share?
'If fo――--the victor shall not long furvive→
A thought that bids my fading hope revive:
'A thought that like the thunder-flash of night
• Darts on my darken'd mind a radiant light—”

. But ere my veil'd defignment I unfold,

Declare, however rafh, however bold,

Thou'lt not o'erfhade with Caution's chill controul,
The warm, the fplendid purpofe of my foul.'

VENZULA to his breaft his hand applied, And thus beyond the pow'r of words replied.

The youth refum'd-' From this aerial height,

• Bid thy bold vifion take its deepest flight,

Down to yon rock, far ftretching o'er the shore,
"Gainft which the raging waves inceffant roar,
Whofe clashing voices into ftillness fade,
Ere this tremendous diftance they pervade:

'If

If Fortune bless what my proud counfels urge! 'Yon waves fhall murmur foon the victor's dirge! My fecret project I will now unveil :

Should CORTEZ o'er this valiant band prevail, 'Should thro' controulment, and thro' ftubborn force, Pour like a torrent his destructive course,

• When on this fummit first he shall appear, 'I will advance, with well-diffembled fear,

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And, fuppliant as I kneel to win his grace, "I'll dauntless lock him in a ftern embrace, Bear him reluctant to yon giddy fteep, • Where yawns a dreadful opening to the deep, • And thence-felf-ruin'd for my country's good, Plunge with her foe into the whelming flood!'

VENZULA answered- Yes, I much admire 'What now thy matchlefs virtue dares inspire: 'But wilt thou, with an avarice of fame,

The meed of Glory all exclufive claim?

Wilt thou to perils close to Death adjoin'd

Advance, and leave thy faithful Friend behind 2
In infancy we fhar'd the glitt'ring toys,

And in one circle play'd our harmless joys:

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And when we quitted Childhood's lowly vale, "Where fpringing flow'rets fcent the playful gale,

Still hand in hand we climb'd youth's arduous height," "Whence greater fcenes expanded on the fight, ** Still our purfuits confenting to one plan," 'Like wedded ftreams our lives united ran: lll N And wilt thou now oppose the sacred tide, • And bid the friendly waves difparting glide 2.

5

JANELLAN fpoke

Endearing youth forgive:

The conq'ror of fome future CORTEZ live! Nor mark my fall with Grief?s dejected brow, 'View from my death the bright effects that flow: 'Behold the tomb that Gratitude fhall raife, Illuftrious figual of my Country's praise.'

To this the brave VENZULA made reply, And as he spoke tears started from his eye : What tho' Felicity thy gift fhall ftream: 'Sunlike o'er MEXICO with brightest beam, • Not all the fplendour that her rays impart, Will e'er illumine my benighted heart, • When deftitute of thee, its only ray, Without the hope of kind returning day.

• Yet

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