X.

We leave them to their fate, but not unknown Nor unredressed. Revenge may have her own:[fd] Roused Discipline aloud proclaims their cause, And injured Navies urge their broken laws. Pursue we on his track the mutineer, Whom distant vengeance had not taught to fear. Wide o'er the wave--away! away! away! Once more his eyes shall hail the welcome bay; Once more the happy shores without a law Receive the outlaws whom they lately saw; 210 Nature, and Nature's goddess--Woman--woos To lands where, save their conscience, none accuse; Where all partake the earth without dispute,[fe] And bread itself is gathered as a fruit;[366] Where none contest the fields, the woods, the streams:-- The goldless Age, where Gold disturbs no dreams, Inhabits or inhabited the shore, Till Europe taught them better than before; Bestowed her customs, and amended theirs, But left her vices also to their heirs.[367] 220 Away with this! behold them as they were, Do good with Nature, or with Nature err. "Huzza! for Otaheite!" was the cry, As stately swept the gallant vessel by. The breeze springs up; the lately flapping sail Extends its arch before the growing gale; In swifter ripples stream aside the seas, Which her bold bow flings off with dashing ease. Thus Argo ploughed the Euxine's virgin foam,[ff] But those she wafted still looked back to home; 230 These spurn their country with their rebel bark, And fly her as the raven fled the Ark; And yet they seek to nestle with the dove, And tame their fiery spirits down to Love.

End of Canto 1^st^, J^n 14.

CANTO THE SECOND.