THE

VISION OF DON RODERICK.

ΤΟ

JOHN WHITMORE, ESQ.,

AND TO THE COMMITTEE OF SUBSCRIBERS FOR RELIEF OF THE PORTUGUESE SUFFEREKS IN WHICH HE PRESIDES,

THIS POEM,

(THE VISION OF DON RODERICK,)

COMPOSED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND UNder their MANAGEMENT, IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY

WALTER SCOTT.

Preface.

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 unparallelled 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 further 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 unworthy 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.

EDINBURGH, June 24, 1811.

THE VISION OF DON RODERICK.

Quid dignum memorare tuis, Hispania, terris,
Vox humana valet !-CLAUDIAN.

Nor shall it ever ope, old records say, Save to a King, the last of all his line, What time his empire totters to decay, And treason digs, beneath, her fatal mine, [divine.". And, high above, impends avenging wrath

XII. "Prelate a Monarch's fate brooks no delay; [old man took, Lead on!"-The ponderous key the And held the winking lamp, and led the way, [secret nook, By winding stair, dark aisle, and Then on an ancient gateway bent his look; [essay'd,

And, as the key the desperate King Low mutter'd thunders the Cathedral

Even while they read, the sand-glass
wastes away;
[did creep,

And, as the last and lagging grains
That right-hand Giant 'gan his club
upsway,
[sleep.

As one that startles from a heavy Full on the upper wall the mace's sweep At once descended with the force of thunder, [heap,

And hurtling down at once, in crumbled The marble boundary was rent asunder,

And twice he stopp'd, and twice new And gave to Roderick's view new sights Till the huge bolts roll'd back, and the

loud hinges bray'd.

of fcar and wonder.

XVII.

For they might spy, beyond that mighty
breach,
[spect laid,
Realms as of Spain in vision'd pro-
Castles and towers, in due proportion

each,

[tray'd: As by some skilful artist's hand porHere, cross'd by many a wild Sierra's shade, [traveller's eye;

And boundless plains that tire the There, rich with vineyard and with olive glade, [and high, Or deep-embrown'd by forests huge wash'd by mighty streams, that slowly murmur'd by.

XVIII.

And here, as erst upon the antique stage,
Pass'd forth the band of masquers
trimly led,

In various forms, and various equipage,
While fitting strains the hearer's
fancy fed;
[spread,
So, to sad Roderick's eye in order
Successive pageants fill'd that mystic
[bled,
Showing the fate of battles ere they
And issue of events that had not
been;

And,

scene,

ever and anon, strange sounds were heard between.

XIX.

First shrill'd an unrepeated female
shriek !-
[the call,

It seem'd as if Don Roderick knew
For the bold blood was blanching in
his cheek.-
[atabal,

Then answer'd kettle-drum and Gong-peal and cymbal-clank the ear appal, Lyell, The Tecbir war-cry, and the Lelie's