# Book IV explained — The Columbiad

> Chapter companion for The Columbiad by Joel Barlow.

## What happens

Hesper foretells the destruction of Peru, causing Columbus grief. Hesper comforts him with a vision of future ages, showing the effect of the discovery of America on Europe: improved commerce, government, revival of letters, the rise of the Jesuits, religious persecution, the Inquisition, and the growth of liberal principles. The vision includes Raleigh's plan to settle North America, the formation of the coast by the Gulf Stream, the nature of colonial establishments as an asylum of liberty, and Delaware's arrival to consolidate Virginia. A night scene on the Chesapeake features a prophetic speech by Potomac and fleets of settlers steering for America.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonialism and Its Consequences

The chapter details the destructive impact of European colonization on native peoples, including the destruction of Peru and the enslavement of millions.

### Tyranny and Injustice

Depicts the Inquisition, religious persecution, and the brutal suppression of dissent in Europe.

### Freedom and Liberty

Envisions America as an asylum of liberty where freedom will rise and inspire moral and political progress.

### Sacrifice and Suffering

Highlights the martyrdom of heretics, the suffering of native peoples, and the personal sacrifices of figures like Las Casas and Raleigh.

## Character check-ins

### Hesper

Foretells the destruction of Peru and comforts Columbus with a vision of future ages.

### Christopher Columbus

Grieves upon hearing the prophecy of destruction but is comforted by Hesper's vision.

### Bartholomew de las Casas

Mentioned as a heroic figure unable to stop the destruction of the native peoples.

### Pedro de la Gasca

Noted for his vain efforts to save the sinking land and its people.

### Sage Raleigh

Depicted as a visionary leader planning the settlement of North America, later betrayed and executed.

### Delaware

Arrives with a reinforcement of new settlers to consolidate the colony of Virginia.

## Key lines

> Thy followers, rushing like an angry flood, Too soon shall drench them in the nation's blood; Nor thou, Las Casas, best of men, shalt stay The ravening legions from their guardless prey.

Your followers will violently conquer and massacre the native people, and even the virtuous Las Casas will be unable to stop the invading armies from destroying them.

_Hesper foretells the Spanish conquest and the helplessness of Las Casas to prevent the slaughter._

> Led by the dark Dominicans of Spain, A newborn Fury walks the wide domain, Gaunt Inquisition; mark her giant stride, Her blood-nursed vulture screaming at her side.

The Inquisition, led by Dominican friars, spreads across Spain like a monstrous fury, accompanied by a vulture that feeds on blood.

_Describes the terror of the Spanish Inquisition._

> Freedom, his new Prometheus, here shall rise, Light her new torch in my refulgent skies, Touch with a stronger life his opening soul, Of moral systems fix the central goal.

Freedom, like a new Prometheus, will arise in America, lighting a torch from the heavens to inspire humanity and establish the foundation of moral systems.

_Hesper prophesies that freedom will be reborn in America, bringing moral enlightenment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_columbiad_se/chapters/book-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_columbiad_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_columbiad_se/chapters