Or turn to Tequendama's awful steep, See wild Bogota's waters boldy leap, Down from the lofty Andes' heights of snow, To flowery plains, where spring's soft breezes blow: 'Mid scenes of majesty unrival'd stand, And view the wonders of Columbia's land. Our climate stretching far through every zone, Presents variety elsewhere unknown. Lo! in the North eternal winter reigns, And binds the ocean in his icy chains; Locked in the stupor of his cold embrace All nature seems to sleep:--yet here we trace Some signs of life,--of joy, and happiness, Some icy cottage of domestic bliss, Where love sits smiling, (from the blast secure) In native modesty,--with soul as pure, And chaste, and lovely, as their virgin snows, While to the chase her lord, or lover goes; And if per chance he takes a Bear, or Seal, Amid the dangers of the icy field, Returns in triumph to his humble cot Where lost in love his troubles are forgot. Our northern states present a clime severe, Where wintry blasts are howling half the year; But spring arising from its wintry tomb, Renew'd in freshness sheds a sweet perfume; Decked in pure robes of purple, white or green, Adorned with flowrets bright:--O, lovely scene! Melodious sounds of music, soft and sweet Thrill through the air,--it's joyous welcome greet. There autumn's richest blessings crown the year, And there the rose on beauty's cheek appears. Our southern climes for mildness may compare, With Italy, and France, whose gentle air Became the subject of the Poet's dream, Or breathed in music soft, the lover's theme. There rapturous passions kindle in the soul Their warmest fires,--impatient of control: There love's soft graces beam in woman's eye And beauty's cheek is tinged with paler dye. There balmy sweets perfume the breath of morn, And shady groves the noonday walks adorn; While gentle zephyrs kiss the blushing flowers, And healthful breezes cool the evening hours. Our soil, with Eden's garden would compare, Nay more,--forbidden fruit was growing there; But here the trees of life and knowledge stand reveal'd, And free to all,--no poison is conceal'd In wisdom's fruit,--Our Eves may satisfy Their souls with knowledge here; nor fear to die. O, MISSOURI, HOW ART THOU FALLEN! WRITTEN IN PRISON. Missouri, a country how sad and how low, How fallen from glory, from freedom, from pride, O, would that oblivion its mantle would throw O'er thee, and the depth of thy wickedness hide. Thou should'st never rejoice--think not of the day When Columbia for freedom first struggled so bold, When thousands assembled in battle array, The star-spangled banner of freedom unfurled; Think not of the patriots that bled in her cause, Who met all undaunted the foemen's dark brow, They gave to their country beneficent laws Of right and protection but where are they now?