A silver lining to on ebon cloud;[4] A diamond flashing in Cimmerian cave; A Lazarus, up-rising from the grave, Bursting the cerements of the straitened shroud; To all true men Columbus calls aloud. He scans the past, with all its priestly lore, But, Janus-like, beholds the future’s shore. What glorious scenes, what teeming wonders crowd! What though the church behold him with a frown! What though the crosier point toward the rack, When heresy is near, as to the track Of precious gold the magic hazel leans? He heedeth not the mitre, cowl, or gown; A new creation on his spirit beams. ----- [3] Irving speaks of the ignorance of this body on all _scientific_ subjects, causing the opinions of Columbus to be regarded as heretical. [4] Was I deceived, or did an ebon cloud Turn forth its silver lining on the night? MILTON. VI.—COLUMBUS AT COURT. The crescent wanes within Granada’s walls; The Moorish standard bows into the dust; The hour hath come when proud Boabdil must Yield to Castilian prowess. In the halls Of the Alhambra hymns of praise and trust Ascend to Heaven. On the glad ear there falls A mighty shout of triumph. Each one calls “Rejoice! the Cross hath conquered—ever just!” Who cometh ’mid the throng? One who hath learned To hope, when hope hath died within the breast; Fainting, to hold right on, though scoffed and spurned— Amid that jubilation he is blest. Man’s eyes are holden, but proud Woman’s name From that good hour shares the Discoverer’s fame. VII.—THE EMBARKATION. Oh! sweet as is the voice of one most dear, And balmy as the welcome breath of heaven To the sick soul, long “cabined, cribbed, confined,” Is the blesséd wind, that on his high career Now wafts the man to whose high trust is given A world unknown, save to his mighty mind. The last deep prayer is said—the mystic rite Hath brought new strength unto his awe-struck heart, He who long struggled with the diver’s might, Who oft the waves of error did dispart, And gasped for breath amid those shades of night, Now with the aim unerring of a dart Strikes for the pearl, bright gleaming to his eyes— What mortal man e’er brought up such a prize! VIII.—THE DISCOVERY.