An American Epic Poem
The only poem which has been generally celebrated as the "American Epic," was one written by Joel Barlow, (1755-1812,) entitled, "The Columbiad."
It was published in the highest style of the bookmaker's art in 1807, with many steel engravings of the most dramatic character. It is divided into ten books. The first contains an invocation to Freedom, and a description of the condition of Columbus in prison, as the sorry reward of his great services to civilization. Hesperus, the guardian Genius of the Western Continent, visits him and takes him up on the mount of Vision, from whose pinnacle he sees the panorama of American History pass before him prophetically. The second, third and fourth books describe the conquest of Mexico and Peru by European invaders and pass to events further north--the settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts. The fifth tells about the relations of the English and French settlers, their wars, and the opening of the Revolution; the sixth carries us through the battle of Saratoga and the surrender of Burgoyne; the seventh shows how France came to the aid of the colonies, and ends with the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. The eighth opens with a hymn to Peace. The guardian genius of Africa, Atlas, denounces to Hesperus the crime of human slavery. Hesperus then carries the review back to the beginning again, and shows what America has done for science and the arts. In the ninth book the progress of things in this country is compared with the history of ancient times, and suggests the probability of an extension of our federal system of government over all the earth. The same idea is carried to its conclusion in the tenth, and Hesperus takes leave of Columbus with the parting address:--
To yon bright borders of Atlantic day
Thy swelling pinions led the trackless way,
And taught mankind such awful deeds to dare,
To track new seas and happy nations rear;
Till by fraternal hands their sails unfurl'd
Have waved at last in union o'er the world.
Of danger braved and griefs endured in vain,
Of courts insidious, envy's poisoned stings,
The loss of empire and the power of kings;
While these broad views thy better thoughts compose
To spurn the malice of insulting foes;
And all the joys descending ages gain,
Repay thy labors and remove thy pain.
The Columbiad has been severely criticised, and has never been generally accepted as an American Epic, but with many faults, there is enough of true patriotism and eloquence to preserve it from oblivion. Longfellow's "Hiawatha" is called the Indian Epic of America.