Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/201

Rh Their children without fear to lose them heal'd;

Nor fear'd thenceforward in her loveliness

The maiden, lest the fatal venom spoil

Her cheek of roses, or her brow of snow.

All Europe then is join'd in grateful toil,

For gift so precious and immense to know,

In praises loud to echo Jenner's name;

And altars to his skill to raise decrees, There to long ages hallowing his fame,

Beside their tutelar divinities.

Of such a glory at the radiant light,

With noble emulation fill'd his breast,

A Spaniard rose,—"Let not my country slight,"

He cried, "on such a great occasion's test,

Her ancient magnanimity to employ.

'T is fortune's gift discovering it alone;

That let an Englishman his right enjoy.

Let Spain's sublime and generous heart be shown,

Giving her majesty more honour true,

By carrying this treasure to the lands

Which most the evil's dire oppressions knew.

There, for I feel a deity commands,

There will I fly, and of the raging wave

Will brave in bearing it the furious strife;

America's infested plains to save

From death, as planting there the tree of life."