MARITORNE; OR, THE PIRATE OF MEXICO.
On Barritaria's brow the watch-fires glow,
Their beacons beaming on the Gulf below,
As if to dare some death-devoted hand
To quench in blood the boldly blazing brand;
Some Orlean herald armed with threat'ning high
To daunt the Pirate Chieftain's haughty eye,
To bid him bend to tame and vulgar law,
And bow to painted things with trembling awe.
Such herald well may come, but woe betide
The self-devoted messenger of pride!
Such herald well may come, but far and near
The name of Maritorne is joined with fear;
His vessels proudly ride the Gulf at will,
Whilst he is Chief of Barritaria's Isle.
The iron hand of power is raised in vain,
Whilst Maritorne is master of the main.
'Tis his to sacrifice, 'tis his to spare:
He moves in silence, and is everywhere.
His victims must with pompous boldness bleed,
But if he pities, who may tell the deed?
'Tis done in secret, that no eye may mark
One thought more gentle, or one act less dark.
And he, the Governor of yon fair land,
Whose tongue speaks freedom, but whose guilty hand
Their beacons beaming on the Gulf below,
As if to dare some death-devoted hand
To quench in blood the boldly blazing brand;
Some Orlean herald armed with threat'ning high
To daunt the Pirate Chieftain's haughty eye,
To bid him bend to tame and vulgar law,
And bow to painted things with trembling awe.
Such herald well may come, but woe betide
The self-devoted messenger of pride!
Such herald well may come, but far and near
The name of Maritorne is joined with fear;
His vessels proudly ride the Gulf at will,
Whilst he is Chief of Barritaria's Isle.
The iron hand of power is raised in vain,
Whilst Maritorne is master of the main.
'Tis his to sacrifice, 'tis his to spare:
He moves in silence, and is everywhere.
His victims must with pompous boldness bleed,
But if he pities, who may tell the deed?
'Tis done in secret, that no eye may mark
One thought more gentle, or one act less dark.
And he, the Governor of yon fair land,
Whose tongue speaks freedom, but whose guilty hand
