The Vision of Famine
.
by J. Mitchell
.
Part I
.
“ A grievous vision is declared unto me ; the treacherous dealer
dealeth
treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth.”
—Isaiah
.
Within a gorgeous palace a young and blooming Queen
Had sunk to rest. Music and artful flattery had ceased
To charm her ear ; unbroken silence reigned around,
Save when the gaudy sentinel, with measured tread,
Proclaim’d the watchword of the night. Upon her downy
Couch the Island Queen lay dreaming ’mid the rich
Embroidery of state, of pomp, and power, and universal
Homage from the grateful millions, for whose happiness
And peace she sway’d the sceptre of her native land.
When hark! the shriek of mingled voices rent the air,
As if ten million tongues had join’d the cry—“ Queen of
the
Famine-tax, arise ! and give thy starving people bread.”
With quick convulsive start the sovereign woke, and threw
A hurried glance around. No sound was heard, nor
Living thing was there ; and, as she wiped the perspira-
tion
From her brow, she smiled at the strange fancy whose
Rude power had broken the silken fetters of her slumber.
That cry of human agony re-echoed in her ear, and thoughts
Of sadness and of woe came crowding fast, and filled
Her with a melancholy dread she ne’ever had known before,
Clear distinct the recollection grew of the wild tumult
Of her dream, and baffled every effort to efface its deep
Impression from her memory. Queen of the Famine-tax !
Of her own sweet voice, which, though unconsciously, had
lent
Free utterance to her thoughts—ay thoughts ! for even
A queen must think, if left to commune with her soul,
That pure and vigilant ambassador from God to
Vindicate the truth, and point us to the path of
Virtuous duty. And such the influence of that
Midnight hour upon her heart, uprising with the
First bright beams of morn, she breathed a prayer
Of supplication to her God to aid her in her holy purpose.
Apparelled as a Queen, in meet fulfilment of her
Royal dignity, she summoned to her presence him
Who held the office of her Councillor. With bland
Obsequious smile he entered, and, as she fixed
Upon his simpering face her scrutinizing glance,
She felt a strong suspicion of his faithlessness
Queen.
What tidings bring ye of the busy world ?
Hast aught of novelty or import to relive the dull mo-
notony ?
Counsellor.
At present, please your Majesty, there’s
Not a whisper to disturb the calm serenity around thee :
All is tranquil as a summer lake, o’er which the gentlest
Winds of heaven are breathing
Queen.
How bless’d indeed should be the Queen of
Such a happy land ! But list ! I am not superstitious ;
No ! nor am I bold enough to question or decide what
May nor may not be the hidden agency by which Omni-
potence
And wisdom infinited finds full accomplishment.
At darkest midnight, as I slept, methought a fearful
Multitude encompassed me, whose horrid yell, like sound
Of rushing waters, rose proclaiming, “ Queen of the Fa-
mine-tax, arise !
And give thy starving people bread.” Affrighted, I
awoke,
Nor farther rest could find, for still the vision haunted
Me, whose spell-like power hath held my waking thoughts
In painful thraldom.
Counsellor.
’Tis cause of deepest sorrow that your
Majesty hath been disquieted. Thy former solicitude and
Ancious care for all pertaining to they people’s good, have
Press’d too heavily upon thee, creating fears and phantasies
Whose sole existence springs from they hearts excess of
warm
Benevolence.
Queen.
As heaven can judge, there’s nought could yield
Delight, as would the glas assurance of my people’s love ;
Their free and spontaneous gush of pure affection I would
prize
As earth’s recompense. Know, then, our fix’d re-
solve
By which that dream of anarchy shall melt unheeded
Into dim oblivion, else find dread confirmation starting
Into life, in all its vivid and appalling horrors,
Throughout the land’s circumference, by instant pro-
clamation,
Make it known that, at our anniversary, free audience to
our
Loyal subjects shall be given, so we may learn if smiling
Plenty, love, and peace, or poverty and cankering dis-
content
Do most prevail.
Counsellor.
By virtue of that high distinguished privilege
Wherewith your Majesty hath honoured me, permit me,
with
Profoundest reverence, to remonstrate. Your Majesty
must
Beware that such decree is most unprecedented ;
Nay, ’tis fraught with danger thus to condescend so great indulgence
To a motely throng, unworthy of your Royal presence ;
Such special favour to the thoughtless crowd (at best
Rude and illiterate) would but engender grossest inso-
lence—
Lessening that broad distinction which should mark
The intercourse between a mightly sovereign and her people
Queen.
In sooth ye do surprise me. What ! make
My people insolent by kindrest treatment ? I love not
Your philosophy of human feeling. Kind sympathy will
soften.
And subdue the rudest heart, and fill the eye with tears
Of heartfelt gratitute : the unlettered peasant and the sage
Alike must yield them to its influence ; nor do I fear
Its exercise upon the honest millions, Have we not sworn
Before high heaven, to see impartial justice dealt to all—
To seek with jealous care the fullest measure of the
People’s good ? Was’t not to guard their freedom and
the palace and the crown were made ? And what
Both, without their generous aid, affection, and esteem ?
A useless mockery! a whited sepuichre ! What fear
Ye shew ! If in the poor man’s home prosperity hath
Shed her gladdening light, ’twill be best proof of
Thy just ministration, and thy claim to future confidence.
Away ! I’ll hear no more ! I have resolved on’t, and by
My plighted an it shalt be so.
Defeated and perplexed, the parasite withdrew. The
recollection of a thousand villainies was rankling in his
soul, as if
exulting in anticipation of his fate—the just
reward of heartless treachery.