Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. II (of 2) by Herman Melville
page 248 of 437 (56%)
page 248 of 437 (56%)
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unborn, that, risen from its future ashes, Porpheero shall be the
promised land, and from her surplus hordes Kolumbo people it." Still coasting on, next day, we came to Vivenza; and as Media desired to land first at a point midway between its extremities, in order to behold the convocation of chiefs supposed to be assembled at this season, we held on our way, till we gained a lofty ridge, jutting out into the lagoon, a bastion to the neighboring land. It terminated in a lofty natural arch of solid trap. Billows beat against its base. But above, waved an inviting copse, wherein was revealed an open temple of canes, containing one only image, that of a helmeted female, the tutelar deity of Vivenza. The canoes drew near. "Lo! what inscription is that?" cried Media, "there, chiseled over the arch?" Studying those immense hieroglyphics awhile, antiquarian Mohi still eyeing them, said slowly:--"In-this-re-publi-can-land-all-men-are- born-free-and-equal." "False!" said Media. "And how long stay they so?" said Babbalanja. "But look lower, old man," cried Media, "methinks there's a small hieroglyphic or two hidden away in yonder angle.--Interpret them, old man." |
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