CHAP, i.] WEST INDIES. 145 



may be allowed, I should fix on the year 1523, im- 

 mediately after the departure of the force under Ga- 

 ray; and if the new capital was really founded by 

 Diego Columbus, as tradition reports, and which 



So perish the false triumphs and vain hopes 

 Of mad ambition, and remorseless pride, 

 That make weak man the murtherer of man! 

 O my associates, dry those scalding tears! 

 One little moment, and we shall arrive 

 At those bless'd islands, where, from guilt refinM 

 By sharp affliction, we no more shall feel 

 Death's torpid grasp, and agonizing pang! 

 There, with lov'd forefather's, shall we rove 

 Thro" 1 palmy shades ; in limpid fountains bathe j 

 Repose in jasmine bowr's at sultry noon j 

 And, when cool ev'ning tempers soft the air, 

 Unenvied gather from his unprun'd bough 

 The fragrant guoyva.* On our cheeks no more 

 The burning tear shall linger; not a sigh 

 Swell the light bosom; but immortal joy 

 Fill ev'ry thought, and brighten ev'ry eye : 

 Meantime, those happy interdicted shores 

 Our blood-stain'd foes shall seek ; but seek in vain j 

 The hurricane shall rage, the thunder roll, 

 And ocean whelm them in his deepest tide, 

 Or leave transfixed on the hard pointed rock ; 

 The sport of howling winds. How shall we laugh, 

 When the pale coward slaves, to us, remote, 

 Direct th' uplifted hand, th' imploring eye! 

 Their conscious groans shall feed our great revenge; 

 Their endless woes, our wond'rous wrongs repay.' 



Jamaica, a Poem ; MSS. fsnesms, 



'* The fruit so called is the Psidiumfructicosum of botanists. P. Mar- 

 tyr relates, that it was in high esteem among the natives. 



Vol. I. T 



