10 I hear even now the infinite fierce chorus, 5 On helm and harness rings the Saxon hammer, Through Cimbric forest roars the Norseman's song, And loud, amid the universal clamor, O'er distant deserts sounds the Tartar gong. I hear the Florentine, who from his palace Wheels out his battle-bell with dreadful din, And Aztec priests upon their teocallis Beat the wild war-drums made of serpents' skin; The tumult of each sacked and burning village; The shout that every prayer for mercy drowns; 15 The soldier's revels in the midst of pillage; The wail of famine in beleaguered towns; The bursting shell, the gateway wrenched asunder, The rattling musketry, the clashing blade; And ever and anon, in tones of thunder, 20 The diapason of the cannonade. Is it, O man, with such discordant noises, Thou drownest Nature's sweet and kindly voices, Were half the power that fills the world with terror, Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts, Given to redeem the human mind from error, There were no need of arsenals or forts: The warrior's name would be a name abhorrèd! Would wear forevermore the curse of Cain! Down the dark future, through long generations, I hear once more the voice of Christ say, "Peace!" Peace! and no longer from its brazen portals The blast of War's great organ shakes the skies! But beautiful as songs of the immortals, The holy melodies of love arise. Misere're a psalm praying for mercy. - Cim'bric: belonging to the Cimbri, an ancient tribe inhabiting northern Germany. - Az'tec: the Aztecs were one of the early tribes of Mexico. —teocal ́lis: temples, usually in the form of a pyramid. The meaning is the house of God. — diapa ́son : full, deep tone. - Cain: see Genesis iv. 15. 10 15 THE YOUNG SAILOR RICHARD HENRY DANA, JR. RICHARD HENRY DANA, Jr. (1815-1882), was an American lawyer. His book "Two Years before the Mast was written from his own experience, and this one step in the path of literature was enough to make him famous. It was among the most popular books of the time. 5 The 14th of August was the day fixed upon for the sailing of the brig "Pilgrim" on her voyage from Boston, round Cape Horn, to the western coast of North America. As she was to get under way early in the afternoon, I made my appearance on board at twelve o'clock, in full 10 sea rig, with my chest, containing an outfit for the two or three years' voyage which I had undertaken from a determination to cure, if possible, by an entire change of life, a weakness of the eyes which no medical aid seemed likely to remedy. 15 The change from the tight frock coat, silk cap, and kid gloves of an undergraduate at Harvard to the loose trousers, checked shirt, and tarpaulin hat of a sailor, though somewhat of a transformation, was soon made; and I supposed that I should pass very well for a Jack 20 Tar. But it is impossible to deceive the practiced eye in these matters; and while I thought myself to be looking as salt as Neptune himself, I was, no doubt, known for a landsman by every one on board as soon as I hove in sight. A sailor has a peculiar cut to his clothes, and a way of wearing them which a green hand can never get. The trousers, tight round the hips, and thence hanging long and loose round the feet, a low-crowned, well-varnished black hat, worn 5 on the back of the head, with half a fathom of black ribbon hanging over the left eye, 10 and a slip tie to the black silk neckerchief, with sundry other points in my dress 20 which were out of the way, doubt less my complexion and hands were quite enough to distinguish me from the regular salt, who, with a sunburnt cheek, wide step, and rolling gait, swings his bronzed 25 and toughened hands athwartships, half opened, as though just ready to grasp a rope. With all my imperfections on my head," I joined the crew, and we hauled out into the stream, and came to anchor for the night. The next day we were employed in preparation for sea, reeving studding-sail gear and 5 taking on board our powder. On the following night I stood my first watch. I remained awake nearly all the first part of the night from fear that I might not hear when I was called; and when I went on deck so great were my ideas of the 10 importance of my trust that I walked regularly fore and aft the whole length of the vessel, looking out over the bows and taffrail at each turn, and was not a little surprised at the coolness of the old seaman whom I called to take my place, in stowing himself snugly away under 15 the long boat for a nap. That was a sufficient lookout, he thought, for a fine night, at anchor in a safe harbor. The next morning was Saturday, and, a breeze having sprung up from the southward, we took a pilot on board, hove up our anchor, and began beating down the bay. 20 As we drew down into the lower harbor we found the wind ahead in the bay, and were obliged to come to anchor in the roads. We remained there through the day and a part of the night. My watch began at eleven o'clock, and I received 25 orders to call the captain if the wind came out from the westward. About midnight the wind became fair, and, having summoned the captain, I was ordered to call all |