Greenland, and Other Poems (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1819. Excerpt: ... GREENLAND. CANTO I. 77ie three first Moravian Missionaries are represented as on their Voyage to Greenland, in the year 1733.--Sketch of the descent, establishment, persecutions, extinction and revival of the Church of the United Brethren from the tenth to the beginning of the eighteenth century.--The origin of their Missions to the West Indies and to Greenland. 1 He moon is watching in the sky; the stars Are swiftly wheeling on their golden cars; Ocean, outstretcht with infinite expanse, Serenely slumbers in a glorious trance; The tide, o'er which no troubling spirits breathe, Reflects a cloudless firmament beneath; Where, poised as in the centre of a sphere, A ship above and ship below appear; A double image, pictured on the deep, The vessel o'er its shadow seems to sleep; Yet, like the host of heaven, that never rest, With evanescent motion to the west, The pageant glides through loneliness and night, And leaves behind a rippling wake of light. Hark through the calm and silence of the scene, Slow, solemn, sweet, with many a pause between, Celestial music swells along the air --No;--'tis the evening hymn of praise and prayer From yonder deck; where, on the stern retired, Three humble voyagers, with looks inspired, And hearts enkindled with a holier flame Than ever lit to empire or to fame, Devoutly stand: --their choral accents rise On wings of harmony beyond the skies; And 'midst the songs, that Seraph-Minstrels sing, Day without night, to their immortal King, These simple strains, --which erst Bohemian hills Echoed to pathless woods and desert rills; Now heard from Shetland's azure bound, --are known In heaven; and He, who sits upon the throne In human form, with mediatorial power, Remembers Calvary, and hails the hour, When, by the' Almighty Father's h