So venerated and ador'd, for him
Not only perils of the sea we brave,
But into Acheron itself would plunge

With joyful promptitude. By his command
We seek the Orient-lands by Indus bath'd;
For him we traverse mighty seas, till now
Plough'd only by the monsters of the deep.
But now, just it appears, that we should ask,
(If sacred truth by you should be rever'd,)
Your name, and what this country where ye dwell,
And if of India ye have any trace?

Strangers ourselves, replied an Islander, In faith, in customs, from the natives here Widely we differ:-as by nature form'd, They are alike to faith and reason blind; But we observe the holy precepts taught By that great Prophet who from Abr'am sprung, And whose commanding law the world obeys, Though mix'd was his immediate descent. 23 This Island where we dwell, contains a port Secure, and most frequented by our barks, Which traffic on the seas between Quiloa, Mombaza, and Sofala's golden coast.

It suits our wants and views here to reside,
And with the natives equal rights enjoy.
Seeing ye seek of all to be inform'd,

The name by which 'tis known, is Mozambique;
And since such mighty seas you pass'd in search
Of fam'd Hydaspes, and the glowing lands
On Indus' banks, a skilful pilot hence

Shall guide ye thither o'er the bounding waves:
And as refreshments ye must needs require,
"Twere well the Chief, to whom we all submit,

Should see you, and with lib'ral hand provide

Whate'er your urgent wants may best supply.

Thus spake the Moor, and straightway to his barks Return'd, with all his swarthy company,

Leaving the noble Captain and his fleet
With many signs of courteous respect.

Meanwhile, the crystal car of Phoebus sinks Beneath the waves, closing the splendid day; But Dian, while He rests, his course supplies, And with her argent rays the world illumes. Amidst the wearied crews, throughout the night, Wild unexpected pleasure reign'd, that flow'd

From renovated hope they yet should see

The realms, traces of which they here obtain❜d.
The customs, manners, every novel trait

Mark'd in these Islanders, awak'd surprise;
But most they wondered that the erring sect
Of Mahomet so widely was diffus'd.

Now Cynthia's rays with gentle lustre shone 24
Reflected from the sparkling silver'd waves;
In harmony, the starry sky appear'd

A field celestial strew'd with heav'nly flow'rs;
The furious winds, pent in their distant caves,
In quiet slumber, undisturb'd, repos'd;
But through the silent night the watchful guard
On board the fleet, their usual vigils kept.
Soon as the glimm'ring marbled dawn appear'd,
And from her lovely locks Aurora shed
Her first mild rays preceding rosy Morn,
When wak'd Hyperion runs his golden course,
The brave Armada all her banners gay

Display'd; and tasteful canopies were rais'd,

With festive joy and welcome to receive
The visit which the Island-Chief prepar'd
To pay. Embarking with alacrity,

The gallant Lusitanian fleet he reach'd,

With such refreshments as the Isle produc'd;
Persuaded they were of that barb'rous race
That from the Caspian roll'd the tide of war
Against the Asiatic states, and, then,
Impell'd by fatal destiny, destroy'd 25

The Christian empire rais'd by Constantine.

The Moor, and all his bands, the Lusian Chief 26 Receiv'd with generous hospitality,

And on them gifts magnificent bestow'd,
Expressly brought to obviate distrust;

And luscious sweetmeats offer'd, and the juice,
To them unknown, that animates the soul.
Contentedly these gifts the Moor receiv'd,
And still with more delight the splendid feast
He join'd; while, 'midst the shrouds, aloft the crews
Ascend, to view the strange and novel scene;
Their manners, garb, and barb'rous dialect
They note with pleasure and surprise.

Nor less astonish'd seem'd the artful Moor,
When he their colour, dress, and arms beheld.
With anxious curiosity he ask'd

If they, by chance, from Turkey thither came?

And then desir'd to see their sacred books

Of moral precepts and religious lore,
To judge if with his own coincident,

Or if, as he surmis'd, the Christian faith
They taught; and, that he nothing might omit,
He begg'd the brave Commander would explain
Their various arms, and various use in war,
When 'gainst the enemy they take the field.

The valiant Captain's answer was convey'd 27 By one who well the language understood.

"Illustrious Chief, to thee shall be explain'd
All that concerns myself, my faith, my arms.
I claim no kindred either with the soil,
Or with the race of Turkish Infidels;
To warlike Europe I belong, and now
I seek the far-fam'd regions of the East.
Him I adore, whose holy law obeys

Whate'er on earth, whate'er in heav'n exists.
His word the universe produc'd, and all
Therein that breathes, or is inanimate.
Quitting the regions of celestial bliss,

Incarnate, scorn and insults he endur'd,