15. That was a call which ne'er was made in vain Much of injustice had they to complain, 16. He was a man of rarest qualities, Who to this barbarous region had confined But he to humbler thoughts his heart inclined; 17. It was his evil fortune to behold The labours of his painful life destroy'd ; Names which he loved, and things well worthy to be known. 18. And thus when exiled from the dear-loved scene, Of sad remembrance: and the Empress Queen, The wondering mind of youth, the thoughtful heart of age. 19. But of his native speech because well nigh A garrulous, but a lively tale, and fraught 20. Little he deem'd when with his Indian band Which had proscribed his order, should one day 21. Behold him on his way! the breviary By night it is the pillar of his bed; No other lodging these wild woods can yield Than earth's hard lap, and rustling overhead A canopy of deep and tangled boughs far spread. 22. Yet may they not without some cautious care And trample down the grass and plantage round, 23. And now they heap dry reeds and broken wood; The spark is struck, the crackling faggots blaze, And cheer that unaccustom'd solitude. Soon have they made their frugal meal of maize; In grateful adoration then they raise The evening hymn. How solemn in the wild That sweet accordant strain wherewith they praise The Queen of Angels, merciful and mild: Hail, holiest Mary! Maid, and Mother undefiled. 24. Blame as thou may'st the Papist's erring creed, But not their salutary rite of even ! The prayers that from a pious soul proceed, Though misdirected, reach the ear of Heaven. Us unto whom a purer faith is given, As our best birthright it behoves to hold The precious charge; but, oh, beware the leaven Which makes the heart of charity grow cold! We own one Shepherd, we shall be at last one fold. 25. Thinkest thou the little company who here Pour forth their hymn devout at close of day, Feel it no aid that those who hold them dear, At the same hour the self-same homage pay, Commending them to Heaven when far away? That the sweet bells are heard in solemn chime Through all the happy towns of Paraguay, Where now their brethren in one point of time Join in the general prayer, with sympathy sublime? 26. That to the glorious Mother of their Lord In spirit hears and joins his household's even-song. 27. What if they think that every prayer enroll'd Yet what they feel is not a mere illusive dream. 28. That prayer perform'd, around the fire reclined Beneath the leafy canopy they lay Their limbs the Indians soon to sleep resign'd; : And the good Father with that toilsome day Fatigued, full fain to sleep, . . . if sleep he may, Whom all tormenting insects there assail ; More to be dreaded these than beasts of prey Against whom strength may cope, or skill prevail, But art of man against these enemies must fail. 29. Patience itself that should the sovereign cure : This plague the small tormentors fill the sky, And swarm about their prey; there he must lie And suffer while the hours of darkness wear; At times he utters with a deep-drawn sigh Some name adored, in accents of despair Breathed sorrowfully forth, half murmur and half prayer. |