THE following Poem is founded upon a Spanish Tradition, particularly detailed in the Notes; but bearing, in general, that Don Roderick, the last Gothic King of Spain, when the Invasion of the Moors was impending, had the temerity to descend into an ancient vault, near Toledo, the opening of which had been denounced as fatal to the Spanish monarchy. The legend adds, that his rash curiosity was mortified by an emblematical representation of those Saracens, who, in the year 714, defeated him in battle, and reduced Spain under their dominion. I have presumed to prolong the Vision of the Revolutions of Spain down to the present eventful crisis of the peninsula; and to divide it, by a supposed change of scene, into THREE PERIODS. The FIRST of these represents the Invasion of the Moors, the Defeat and Death of Roderick, and closes with the peaceful occupation of the country by the Victors. The SECOND PERIOD embraces the state of the peninsula, when the conquests of the Spaniards and Portuguese in the East and West Indies had raised to the highest pitch the renown of their arms; sullied, however, by superstition and cruelty. An allusion to the inhumanities of the Inquisition terminates this picture. The LAST PART of the Poem opens with the state of Spain previous to the unparalleled treachery of Buonaparte; gives a sketch of the usurpation attempted upon that unsuspicious and friendly kingdom, and terminates with the arrival of the British succours. It may be farther proper to mention, that the object of the Poem is less to commemorate or detail particular incidents, than to exhibit a general and impressive picture of the several periods brought upon the stage. I am too sensible of the respect due to the Public, especially by one who has already experienced more than ordinary indulgence, to offer any apology for the inferiority of the poetry to the subject it is chiefly designed to commemorate. Yet I think it proper to mention, that, while I was hastily executing a work, written for a temporary purpose, and on passing events, the task was most cruelly interrupted by the successive deaths of Lord President BLAIR, and Lord Viscount MELVILLE. In those distinguished characters, I had not only to regret persons whose lives were most important to Scotland, but also whose notice and patronage honoured my entrance upon active life; and I may add, with melancholy pride, who permitted my more advanced age to claim no common share in their friendship. Under such interruptions, the following verses, which my best and happiest efforts must have left far unwor thy of their theme, have, I am myself sensible, an appearance of negligence and incoherence, which, in other circumstances,I might have been able to remove. THE VISION OF DON RODERICK. e following Poem was published lately in a quarto form by the purchasers of the copy-right, John Ballantyne and Company, Edinburgh, and is inserted in the Edinburgh Annual Register exclusively, with their permission, and for a valuable consideration. INTRODUCTION. I. LIVES there a strain, whose sounds of mounting fire All as it swell'd 'twixt each loud trumpet-change, II. Yes! such a strain, with all o'er-powering measure, III. But we, weak minstrels of a laggard day, The debt thou claim'st in this exhausted age? A theme; a theme for Milton's mighty handHow much unmeet for us, a faint degenerate band! IV. Ye mountains stern! within whose rugged breast Say, have ye lost each wild majestic close, What time their hymn of victory arose, And Cattraeth's glens with voice of triumph rung, And mystic Merlin harp'd, and grey-hair'd Llywarch sung. V. O! if your wilds such minstrelsy retain, As sure your changeful gales seem oft to say, VI. For not till now, how oft soe'er the task VII. Hark, from yon misty cairn their answer tost: If to such task presumptuous thou aspire, Since our grey cliffs the din of conflict knew, VIII. "Decayed our old traditionary lore, Save where the lingering fays renew their ring, Or round the marge of Minchmore's haunted spring; And rugged deeds recount in rugged line, IX. "No! search romantic lands, where the near Sun Gives with unstinted boon ethereal flame, Where the rude villager, his labour done, In verse spontaneous chaunts some favour'd name; Her eye of diamond, and her locks of jet; X. "Explore those regions, where the flinty crest Or where the banners of more ruthless foes Than the fierce Moor, float o'er Toledo's fane, The blended ranks of England, Portugal, and Spain. XI. "There, of Numantian fire a swarthy spark And, if the glow of feudal chivalry Beam not, as once, thy nobles' dearest pride, Have seen the plumed Hidalgo quit their side, Have seen, yet dauntless stood-'gainst fortune fought and died. VOL. II. PART II. 2 Q |