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A TALE OF PARAGUAY.

CANTO IV.

1.

THE bells rung blithely from St. Mary's tower When in St. Joachin's the news was told That Dobrizhoffer from his quest that hour Drew nigh: the glad Guaranies young and old Throng through the gate, rejoicing to behold His face again; and all with heartfelt glee Welcome the Pastor to his peaceful fold, Where so beloved amid his flock was he That this return was like a day of jubilee.

2.

How more than strange, how marvellous a sight
To the new comers was this multitude!

Something like fear was mingled with affright
When they the busy scene of turmoil view'd ;
Wonder itself the sense of joy subdued,
And with its all-unwonted weight opprest
These children of the quiet solitude;

And now and then a sigh that heaved the breast Unconsciously bewray'd their feeling of unrest.

3.

Not more prodigious than that little town
Seem'd to these comers, were the pomp
To us, of ancient Rome in her renown;

and power

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
Possess'd a poor and uninstructed mind
With awe, the thoughtful spirit, well I ween,
Something to move its wonder there might find,
Something of consolation for its kind,

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.

Yes;

5.

for in history's mournful map, the On Paraguay, as on a sunny spot,

May rest complacent: to humanity,

eye

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,

Whose ways they wisely had been train'd to dread: Their inoffensive lives in pupilage

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;
Their part it is to honour and obey,
Like children under wise parental sway.
All thoughts and wishes are to him confess'd;
And when at length in life's last weary day
In sure and certain hope they sink to rest,

By him their eyes are closed, by him their burial blest.

9.

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Deem not their lives of happiness devoid,

Though thus the years their course obscurely fill;
In rural and in household arts employ'd,

And many a pleasing task of pliant skill,
For emulation here unmix'd with ill,

Sufficient scope was given. Each had assign'd
His proper part, which yet left free the will;
So well they knew to mould the ductile mind
By whom the scheme of that wise order was combined.

10.

It was a land of priestcraft, but the Priest
Believed himself the fables that he taught:
Corrupt their forms, and yet those forms at least
Preserv'd a salutary faith that wrought,
Maugre the alloy, the saving end it sought.
Benevolence had gain'd such empire there,
That even superstition had been brought
An aspect of humanity to wear,

And make the weal of man its first and only care.

11.

Nor lack'd they store of innocent delight,
Music and song and dance and proud array,
Whate'er might win the ear, or charm the sight;
Banners and pageantry in rich display

Brought forth upon some Saint's high holyday,
The altar drest, the church with garlands hung,
Arches and floral bowers beside the way,
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,
With whom in dutiful contentment wise,
The gentle virtues had their dwelling-place.
With them the dear domestic charities
Sustain'd no blight from fortune; natural ties
There suffer'd no divorcement, save alone
That which in course of nature might arise;
No artificial wants and ills were known;

Butthere they dwelt as if theworld were all their own.

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