I haste me, like the vessel, o'er the deep; Nor tire you with descriptions of the coast, New mountains gain'd or hills in æther lost,-- The muse can only hint at scenes like these, Not stop to spend her poem in their praise: Three days we cut the brine with steady prore, The fourth beheld as on New Albion's shore. Guard me, ye heavens, shield this defenceless head, While travelling o'er these sanguine plains of dead; Nor only me, may heaven defend us all From the harsh rigour of King George's ball. Far in the depth of an aspiring wood, Where roll'd its waves a silver winding flood, Our weary vessel urg'd its darksome way, And safely anchor'd in a shady bay. Landing, I left the weather-beaten crew, And pensive rov'd as home-sick travellers do; When all at once before my wand'ring eyes, The Genius of the river seem'd to rise; Tall and erect, untaught by years to bow, But not a smile relax'd his clouded brow: His swarthy features vengeful deeds forebode, Terror march'd on before him as he trode; His rattling quiver at his shoulder hung, His pointed spear and glitt'ring helmet rung; The tall oaks trembled at the warlike shade, When thus the Genius of the water said: "O curious stranger, come from far to see What grieves us all, but none so much as me! The free-born Genius of the woods am I, Who scorn to dwell in lands of slavery; I, tho' unseen, command the heart to dare, And spread the soul of freedom thro' the air, That each may taste and value if he can, This sovereign good that constitutes the man: Here, in the center of tyrannic sway, I spread my spirit and forbid dismay, To every bosom dart may influence round, Like the sun beams that fructify the ground; But waft a timorous and ignoble breath Where conscience, conscience bids them shrink at death. "O stranger, led by Heaven's supreme decree, Go, view the dire effects of tyranny, Strait to the town direct thy fated way, But heark attentive, listen and obey, I to thy care commit this magic vest, To guard thee 'midst yon' spires, a viewless guest; Whene'er its wreathy folds thy limbs embrace, No mortal eye thy roving step shall trace; Unseen as ghosts that quit the clay below, Yet seeing all securely thou shalt go. There watch the motions of the hostile lines, Observe their counsels, watch their deep designs; Trace all their schemes, the lawless strength survey Of licens'd robbers howling for their prey."