Canal de México

Of MEXICO the Genius now descends,
And near the angry waters as he bends,
The crystal goblet that his hand sustain,
He plunges thrice into the tinctur'd main!
Then soars, and on the neighb'ring mountain's height,
The radiant pow'r arrests his rapid flight,
Where in full conclave a terrific band,
The spirits of illustrious chieftains stand!—
Not with the patriot does his passion die,
It breathes—'tis Immortality's ally:
Still from the tomb the warm affections flow
Ev'n as the sunset-sky retains a glow.
"Mark, mark, the Genius said, this precious vase,
Here pleas'd affix, here feast your raptur'd gaze:
The vast canal near MEXICO that flows,
Assumes the colour that this crystal shows:
Its swelling surges dash the sounding shore,
Inflam'd and crimson'd with the hostile gore.”