ALBERT of FLORENCE, who, at twilight-time, And MANFRED, who espoused with jewelled ring * VELASQUEZ, GARCIA, thro' the echoing croud Traced by their mirth-from EBRO's classic shore, From golden TAJO, to return no more! * Many such appellations occur in Bernal Diaz. c. 204. CANTO V. The Voyage continued. YET Who but He undaunted could explore t A world of waves, a sea without a shore, Trackless and vast and wild as that revealed When round the Ark the birds of tempest wheeled; No sign of man! no vestige of his power! One at the stern before the hour-glass stood, As 'twere to count the sands; one o'er the flood Gazed for St. Elmo;* while another cried "Once more good morrow!" and sate down and sighed. Day, when it came, came only with its light. Though long invoked, 'twas sadder than the night! Look where He would, for ever as He turned, He met the eye of one that inly mourned. Then sunk his generous spirit, and He wept. The friend, the father rose; the hero slept. * A luminous appearance of good omen. * PALOS, thy port, with many a pang resigned, Oft in the silent night-watch doubt and fear Oft the stern Catalan, at noon of day, Muttered dark threats, and lingered to obey; J Tho' that brave Youth-he, whom his courser bore (What time the ALHAMBRA shook—soon to unfold * His public procession to the Convent of Rábida on the day before he set sail. It was there that his sons had received their education; and he himself appears to have passed some time there, the venerable Guardian, Juan Perez de Marchena, being his zealous and affectionate friend. The ceremonies of his departure and return, are represented many of the fresco-paintings in the palaces of Genoa. in Its sacred courts, and fountains yet untold, Its holy texts and arabesques of gold) Tho' ROLDAN,* sleep and death to him alike, Grasped his good sword and half unsheathed to strike. "Oh born to wander with your flocks," he cried, "And bask and dream along the mountain-side; "To urge your mules, tinkling from hill to hill; "Or at the vintage-feast to drink your fill, "And strike your castanets, with gipsy-maid 66 Dancing Fandangos in the chesnut shade "Come on," he cried, and threw his glove in scorn, "Or with banditti sought the sheltering wood, Sullenly sheathed, plunging the weapon down. ** Probably a soldier of fortune. There were more than one of the name on board. CANTO VI. The flight of an Angel of Darkness. WAR and the Great in War let others sing, Who watched and served in humbleness and fear; Still unsubdued by Danger's varying form, He looked elate; and, with his wonted smile, Stars yet unnamed of purer radiance rise! * F. Col.c. 3. |