to be so. By using the language of that
day, he has called up Columbus 'in his habit as he lived;' and the
authorities, such as exist, are carefully given by the translator.

[Footnote: The Original in the Castilian language, according to the
Inscription that fellows, was found among other MSS. in an old
religious house near Palos, situated on an island formed by the river
Tinto, and dedicated to our Lady of Rabida. The Writer describes
himself as having sailed with Columbus; but his style and manner are
evidently of an after-time.]

INSCRIBED ON THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.

Unclasp me, Stranger; and unfold,
With trembling care, my leaves of gold
Rich in gothic portraiture--
If yet, alas, a leaf endure.
In RABIDA'S monastic fane
I cannot ask, and ask in vain.
The language of CASTILE I speak;
Mid many an Arab, many a Greek,
Old in the days of CHARLEMAIN;
When minstrel-music wander' round,
And Science, waking, bless' the sound.
No earthly thought has here a place;
The cowl let down on every face.
Yet here, in consecrated dust,
Here would I sleep, if sleep I must.
From GENOA when COLUMBUS came,
(At once her glory and her shame)
'Was here he caught the holy flame.
'Twas here the generous vow he made;
His banners on the altar laid.--
One hallow'd morn, methought,
I felt As if a soul within me dwelt!
But who arose and gave to me
The sacred trust I keep for thee,
And in his cell at even-tide
Knelt before the cross and died--
Inquire not now. His name no more
Glimmers on the chancel-floor,
Near the lights that ever shine
Before ST. MARY'S blessed shrine.
To me one little hour devote,
And lay thy staff and scrip beside thee;
Read in the temper that he wrote,
And may his gentle spirit guide thee!
My leaves forsake me, one by one;
The book-worm thro' and thro' has gone.
Oh haste--unclasp me, and unfold;
The tale within was never told!

THE ARGUMENT.

_Columbus, having wandered from kingdom to kingdom, at length obtains
three ships and sets sail on the Atlantic. The compass alters from
its antient direction; the wind becomes constant and unremitting;
night and day he advances, till he is suddenly stopped in his course
by a mass of vegetation, extending as far as the eye can reach, and
assuming the appearance of a country overwhelmed by the sea. Alarm
and despondence on board. He resigns himself to the care of Heaven,
and proceeds on his voyage; while columns of water move along in his
path befo