Explore "The Columbiad" by Joel Barlow on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Destruction of Peru foretold -- Grief of Columbus -- He is comforted by the promise of a vision of future ages -- All Europe appears in vision -- Effect of the discovery of America upon the affairs of Europe -- Improvement in commerce; government -- Revival of letters -- Order of the Jesuits -- Religious persecution -- Inquisition -- Rise and progress of more liberal principles -- Character of Raleigh; who plans the settlement of North America -- Formation of the coast by the gulf stream -- Nature of the colonial establishments, the first great asylum and infant empire of liberty -- Liberty the necessary foundation of morals -- Delaware arrives with a reinforcement of new settlers, to consolidate the colony of Virginia -- Night scene, as contemplated by these patriarchs, while they are sailing up the Chesapeake, and are saluted by the river gods -- Prophetic speech of Potomac -- Fleets of settlers from several parts of Europe steering for America.
In one dark age beneath a single hand, Thus rose an empire in the savage land.