BOOK 1. Columbus being conducted by the Angel from prison to the Mount of Vision (which is supposed to be in…

The Seraph spoke; and now before them lay, (The doors unbarr'd) a steep ascending way, That through disparting shades, arose on high, Reach'd o'er the hills and lengthen'd up the sky, Oped a fair summit, graced with rising flowers, Sweet odours breathing through celestial bowers; O'er proud Hispanian spires, it looks sublime, Subjects the Alps and levels all the clime: Led by the power, the hero gain'd the height, A touch from heaven sublimed his mortal sight, And calm beneath them flow'd the western main, Far stretch'd, immense, a sky-encircled plain; No sail, no isle, no cloud invests the bound, Nor billowy surge disturbs the unvaried round; Till, deep in distant heavens, the sun's dim ray Topp'd unknown cliffs and call'd them up to day. Slow glimmering into sight, wide regions drew, And rose and brighten'd on the expanding view; Fair sweep the waves, the lessening ocean smiles, And breathes the fragrance of a thousand isles; Near and more near the long drawn coasts arise, Bays stretch their arms and mountains lift the skies, The lakes, unfolding, point the streams their way, The plains, the hills their lengthening skirts display, The vales draw forth, high walk the approaching groves, And all the majesty of nature moves.