3. power Not more prodigious than that little town Seem'd to these comers, were the pomp and To us, of ancient Rome in her renown; Nor the elder Babylon, or ere that hour When her high gardens, and her cloud-capt tower, And her broad walls before the Persian fell; Nor those dread fanes on Nile's forsaken shore Whose ruins yet their pristine grandeur tell, Wherein the demon Gods themselves might deign to dwell. 4. But if, all humble as it was, that scene Some hope and earnest of a happier age, When vain pursuits no more the heart shall blind, But Faith the evils of this earth assuage, And to all souls assure their heavenly heritage. 5. Yes; for in history's mournful map, the eye On Paraguay, as on a sunny spot, May rest complacent: to humanity, There, and there only, hath a peaceful lot Been granted, by Ambition troubled not, By Avarice undebased, exempt from care, By perilous passions undisturb'd. And what If Glory never rear'd her standard there, Nor with her clarion's blast awoke the slumbering air? 6. Content and cheerful Piety were found Within those humble walls. From youth to age The simple dwellers paced their even round Of duty, not desiring to engage Upon the busy world's contentious stage, Perpetually, but peacefully they led, From all temptation saved, and sure of daily bread. 7. They on the Jesuit, who was nothing loth, Reposed alike their conscience and their cares; And he, with equal faith, the trust of both Accepted and discharged. The bliss is theirs Of that entire dependence that prepares Entire submission, let what may befall; And his whole careful course of life declares That for their good he holds them thus in thrall, Their Father and their Friend, Priest, Ruler, all in all. 8. Food, raiment, shelter, safety, he provides; No forecast, no anxieties have they ; The Jesuit governs, and instructs and guides; All thoughts and wishes are to him confess'd; 9. Deem not their lives of happiness devoid, Sufficient scope was given. Each had assign'd 10. It was a land of priestcraft, but the Priest And make the weal of man its first and only care. 11. Nor lack'd they store of innocent delight, Brought forth upon some Saint's high holyday, And festal tables spread for old and young, Gladness in every heart, and mirth on every tongue. 12. Thou who despisest so debased a fate, As in the pride of wisdom thou may'st call These meek submissive Indians' low estate, Look round the world, and see where over all Injurious passions hold mankind in thrall, How barbarous Force asserts a ruthless reign, Or Mammon, o'er his portion of the ball, Hath learn'd a baser empire to maintain, Mammon, the god of all who give their souls to gain. 13. Behold the fraudful arts, the covert strife, The jarring interests that engross mankind; The low pursuits, the selfish aims of life; Studies that weary and contract the mind, That bring no joy, and leave no peace behind And Death approaching to dissolve the spell! The immortal soul, which hath so long been blind, Recovers then clear sight, and sees too well The error of its ways, when irretrievable. 14. Far happier the Guaranies' humble race, ; But there they dwelt as if theworld were all their own. 15. Obedience in its laws that takes delight Poor, erring, self-tormentor that thou art, 16. Mild pupils in submission's perfect school, They dwelt, obeying him with love sincere, 17. The Patron Saint, from whom their town was named Was that St. Joachin, who, legends say, Unto the Saints in Limbo first proclaim'd The Advent. Being permitted, on the day That Death enlarged him from this mortal clay, His daughter's high election to behold, Thither his soul, glad herald, wing'd its way, And to the Prophets and the Patriarchs old The tidings of great joy and near deliverance told. |